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:
“Creamy bean flowers with black eyes and leaves like bored hearts.
Is it blood clots the tendrils are dragging up that string?
No, no, it is scarlet flowers that will one day be edible.”
—Sylvia Plath (1932–1963)
“Irrational streams of blood are staining earth;
Empedocles has thrown all things about;
Hector is dead and there’s a light in Troy;
We that look on but laugh in tragic joy.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)