Why you want the O-neg supply to stay steady

O-negative blood is kind of a big deal. It's the universal blood type, which means anyone can receive it, no matter what their blood type.

Hospitals like to keep it on hand for emergency situations, when there’s not enough time to test someone’s blood type before giving them a life-saving transfusion. That’s why it makes up about 19% of all the blood we collect (even though just 9% of the population actually have it!).

We work with our donors to ensure there is always enough O-neg blood on hand for patients across the country, which means tracking and forecasting appointments and blood demand on a daily basis — there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.

We know that some of our regular donors won’t be able to attend their donations thanks to illness, work, or something else. Life gets in the way sometimes, and it can have a dramatic effect on that precious O-neg supply.

To help those loyal O-neg donors out, we need another 4,500 new O-neg donors.

If you don’t know your blood type, now’s the time to find out. Or, if you’re already a donor, bring along a mate to see if they’re one of the precious 9%! And if you’re an O-neg who’s yet to donate, we’re very keen to meet you (we’re laying out the red carpet now).