About Blood
The frequency of blood groups in Ireland is as follows:
| O Positive | 47% | O Negative | 8% | A Positive | 28% | A Negative | 5% |
| B Positive | 9% | B Negative | 2% | AB Positive | 2% | AB Negative | 1% |
It is important that the IBTS collects enough O Rh D positive blood as almost half the population are that blood type. Donors with O Rh D negative are known as universal donors. Their blood can be transfused to patients of any other blood group in an emergency or if the patient's own blood group is unavailable. Because any patient can receive O Rh D negative blood, the IBTS need to have extra O Rh D negative blood available at all times.
Read more about this topic: Irish Blood Transfusion Service
Famous quotes containing the word blood:
“Our hearts seemed safe in our breasts and sang to the
Light—
The marrow in the bone
We dreamed was safe . . . the blood in the veins, the
sap in the tree
Were springs of Deity.”
—Dame Edith Sitwell (1887–1964)
“Other sins only speak; murder shrieks out:
The element of water moistens the earth,
But blood flies upwards, and bedews the heavens.”
—John Webster (1580–1625)