7 per cent of the population is O-negative–the universal donor.
At Canadian Blood Services, 12 per cent of issues to hospital are O-negative because it’s the product that can be given to anyone when there is not a chance to potentially cross match for a patient who is in need.
We asked Peter MacDonald of Canadian Blood Services how you find out what blood type you have.
He says the easiest way is to come to a blood donor clinic and make a donation and after that you will receive a blood donor card which has your blood type prominently displayed.
MacDonald says the national inventory is in good shape but getting O-negative donors continues to be a challenge so they need those universal donors to come by and donate.
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