O-Positive Blood Type Facts

You probably hear a lot about the need for blood, especially type O. So you may be asking yourself, is type O blood rare? Actually, more people have it than any other blood type. But while O-positive is the most common in the U.S., it quietly plays a heroic role in hospitals and trauma centers every day. Whether you’re O-positive or have a friend or relative with that blood type, know that it’s in high demand and constantly saving lives — making it uniquely powerful when it comes to patient care. 

Here are a few O-positive blood type facts: 

• Approximately 37% of the U.S. population has O-positive blood. 

• It can be given to patients with any positive blood type (O+, A+, B+, AB+), about 86% of the population. 

• Patients with this blood type can only receive blood from O-positive and O-negative donors. 

This special blood type is used daily to treat a range of patients during any number of dire medical scenarios, from accident victims experiencing severe trauma to those undergoing open-heart surgery. Mothers, too, often need your help during childbirth, when complications can arise. And people with chronic blood conditions may require frequent transfusions over the course of their lives. 

What’s more, O-positive donors are great candidates for Power Red donations. This special type of donation collects two units of red cells — the blood component patients most often need — while returning your plasma and platelets to you, along with hydrating saline. Though each donation takes a bit longer to make, you are doubling your impact for patients compared to a whole blood donation. Power Reds are especially helpful during summer months, when donations tend to drop because fewer people are available to help.