Best Donation for You

Southern California Blood Bank now recommending the most effective blood component donation for each donor, based on blood type and current patient need.

As more and more of our blood donors are giving more often, the supply of red blood cell donations has improved. As a result the Southern California Blood Bank is now working to improve the supply of other blood components, specifically platelets and plasma. At the same time, the blood bank is also working to manage its red cell inventory by collecting a consistent amount in each type.

So the next time you come to Southern California Blood Bank, you may be asked to change your typical whole blood donation to a platelet/plasma donation. Platelets, in particular, have a lifespan of only five days, so these products are always needed.

If you are asked to make a different type of donation, it means that there are hospital patients that have a specific need for these components in your blood type. It may also mean that the Southern California Blood Bank has an adequate supply of red cells in your blood type, but is critically low in other blood components that you can give.

In addition, there may be times when you are planning to make a double red cell donation but are asked instead to make a whole blood donation. That means that the supply of your blood type is not critically low and that we want to invite you back in 8 weeks, instead of 16, when your blood type will be needed again.

During the summer months or around the holidays, we may also ask you to give double red cells instead of whole blood because we are seeing the blood supply begin to decline in your type.

Regardless of the type of donation you make, the Southern California Blood Bank staff appreciates every blood donor who comes through our doors. Also, because we respect your efforts as a donor, we are now partnering more closely with you to ensure that your donation is the most effective blood component for the patient at the exact moment of need.

If you have questions about donating various blood components at various times, please call (844) 380-5220.

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People with Type O blood are in great demand because they are considered “universal red cell donors,” meaning their red blood cells can be safely transfused to patients with any blood type

Calendar iconIf you are Type O, you can Make the Most of Your Donation by donating whole blood or double red cells (a double red cell donation is collected through an automated process that removes red cells and returns fluids back to the donor). Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every 8 weeks. Double red cell donors are eligible every 16 weeks.

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Percentage of Population with this Blood Type
7%

Preferred Donations
Whole Blood, Double Red Blood Cell

Blood Types You Can Receive
O-

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Red Blood Cells
A+, AB+, B+, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Plasma
O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Platelets
O+

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The most common blood type, therefore the most commonly transfused blood type, red blood cells are needed. Platelets from O+ are needed as well.

If you are Type O, you can Make the Most of Your Donation by donating whole blood or double red cells (a double red cell donation is collected through an automated process that removes red cells and returns fluids back to the donor) or platelets. Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every 8 weeks. Double red cell donors are eligible every 16 weeks. Platelet donors are eligible every 2 weeks.

37% icon graphicPercentage of Population with this Blood Type
37%

Preferred Donations
Whole Blood, Double Red Blood Cell, Platelet

Blood Types You Can Receive
O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Red Blood Cells
A+, AB+, B+, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Plasma
O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Platelets
O+

A-

A-

Because it is so rare, the best type of donation for the A- blood type is to donate whole blood or double red blood cells. 

Calendar iconWhole blood donors are eligible to give blood every 8 weeks. Double red cell donors are eligible every 16 weeks.

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Percentage of Population with this Blood Type
6%

Preferred Donations
Whole Blood, Double Red Blood Cell

Blood Types You Can Receive
A-, O-

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Red Blood Cells
A-, A+, AB-, AB+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Plasma
A-, A+, O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Platelets
A-, A+, O-, O+

A+

A+

A+ is a common blood type which makes it the most needed blood for transfusions, so you may be asked to donate whole blood. Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every 8 weeks.

Calendar iconPlatelets are another way to maximize your donation as an A+ blood type. Hospitals are always in need of platelets as they are critical to blood clotting. Platelet donors are eligible every 2 weeks.

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Percentage of Population with this Blood Type
36%

Preferred Donations
Whole Blood, Platelet

Blood Types You Can Receive
A-, A+, O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Red Blood Cells
A+, AB+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Plasma
A-, A+, O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Platelets
A+, O+

B-

B-

A rare blood type, the best way to donate for B- is with a double red cells (a double red cell donation is collected through an automated process that removes red cells and returns fluids back to the donor) or whole blood donations.

Calendar iconWhole Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every 8 weeks. Double red cell donors are eligible every 16 weeks.

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Percentage of Population with this Blood Type
2%

Preferred Donations
Whole Blood, Double Red Blood Cell

Blood Types You Can Receive
B-, O-

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Red Blood Cells
AB-, AB+, B-, B+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Plasma
B-, B+, O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Platelets
B-, B+, O-, O+

 

B+

B+

One of the rarer blood types, B+ donors may be asked to donate platelets orwhole blood.

Calendar iconPlatelet donors are eligible every 2 weeks. Whole blood donors are eligible to give blood every 8 weeks

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Percentage of Population with this Blood Type
8%

Preferred Donations
Whole Blood, Platelet

Blood Types You Can Receive
B-, B+, O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Red Blood Cells
AB+, B+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Plasma
B-, B+, O-, O+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Platelets
B+, O+

AB-

AB-

Although it’s the rarest, AB donors are known as "universal plasma donors," because patients of all blood types can safely receive their plasma. Plasma donors are eligible to donate every 4 weeks. The donation process takes minutes more than whole blood.

Calendar iconAB- donors are also encouraged to donate platelets because they are compatible with several other blood types. Platelet donors are eligible every 2 weeks.

If you have AB- blood, you may be a great candidate to donate plasma or platelets. Many donors give both at the same time! 

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Percentage of Population with this Blood Type
1%

Preferred Donations
Platelet, Plasma

Blood Types You Can Receive
A-, AB-, B-, O-

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Red Blood Cells
AB-, AB+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Plasma
All Types

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Platelets
All Types

 

AB+

AB+

A rare blood type, AB+ donors are known as "universal plasma donors" because patients of all blood types can safely receive their plasma. Plasma donors are eligible to donate every 4 weeks. The donation process takes minutes more than whole blood.

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AB+ donors are also encouraged to donate platelets because they are compatible with several other blood types. Platelet donors are eligible every 2 weeks.

If you have AB+ blood, you may be a great candidate to donate plasma or platelets. Many donors give both at the same time!

Percentage of Population with this Blood Type
3%

Preferred Donations
Platelet, Plasma

Blood Types You Can Receive
All Types

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Red Blood Cells
AB+

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Plasma
All Types

Blood Types Who Can Receive Your Platelets
A+, AB+, B+, O+

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