It’s OK to B Negative

I don’t usually post about my blood donations, because I don’t want to seem like “oh look how helpful I am”, or whatever. But I donated blood today at a mobile donation center, and the people working there said it had been really slow all day. I started thinking about how important it is, and if I could motivate even one person, it would be worth writing about.

As someone who has the second-rarest blood type in the world, I feel a particular obligation. Only 1-2% of the world’s population has this type (B Negative). It has no Rh factor, thus the negative part. Because it is Rh-negative, it can help both negative and positive recipients within compatible blood groups. My friend, Marlene, is a blood-type superhero with the universal O- pumping through her veins. She understands the weight of that and donates as often as she's allowed to.

I never even knew my blood type until I got pregnant with my daughter 27 years ago. My blood type can cause problems for an unborn child unless they have the same blood type as their mother. Thankfully, she does. So I have my own little built-in supplier if I ever need it, and she has me. But not everyone is so lucky.

B- people can only receive B- and O- blood. I loved seeing the phlebotomist’s face light up today when she saw my blood type. She said, “Yay, we are low on B- right now”. It’s one of those things we don’t often think about until it's a time of crisis for ourselves or others. I kept thinking about the horrific earthquake in Venezuela and how great the need there must be.

So if you are healthy enough, consider donating, even if only once a year. You can go online to find blood drives near you and schedule an appointment so you won’t have to wait. It costs nothing but a little time and gas. It just takes about 45 minutes, and they have great snacks. I arrived at 2:40 and was out of there by 3:20 with an awesome bag of Nutter Butters.  

Sometimes it’s ok to B Negative.