Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Blood Bank of Hawaii PAID Honolulu, HI Permit No. 350

2043 Dillingham Boulevard Honolulu, HI 96819-4024 Phone: (808) 845-9966 Neighbor Islands: (800) 372-9966 Circulate Dillingham Donor Center News From Your Community Blood Center • October 2011 • VOL.2 Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ethnic group in the world. Hawaii’s diverse racial Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Filling the Calabash population includes about 10,000 who carry this Sunday Apheresis only Hawaii’s melting pot needs all rare blood type, but only 110 have been identified by Blood Bank of Hawaii, of these; 18 actively Apheresis by appointment daily. blood types. donate. Finding a match for Jk3 negative patients Downtown Donor Center The vast majority of Hawaii’s “mixed plate” population can be a challenge. These people must rely on falls into one of the major ABO blood groups. donors who have the same blood type. Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Blood Bank A smaller percentage has blood types that are unique to specific ethnic groups. Common or rare, Every Blood Type Counts www.BBH.org of Hawaii every blood type is special and a self-generating, The rarest blood, however, is one that is not available Give Blood. lifesaving resource that can be given to others. when someone needs it. That’s why it’s so important that Blood Bank of Hawaii have available donors It’s Safe. Why are Blood Types Important? who represent all blood types. No matter what your Blood types become very important when a blood type, commit to a regular donation schedule. Invite It’s Simple. transfusion is necessary. Whether Type O, A, B, or friends, family and It Saves Lives! AB, patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment, co-workers surgery, emergency and trauma and general to be medical procedures are best served when they receive lifesavers their own blood type. Incompatibility can lead too. As little inside this to destruction of the transfused cells and serious as one Sixty percent of Hawaii’s population blood is more prevalent in Caucasian populations health consequences. hour can will need blood at some time in their than ethnically diverse communities like Hawaii. make a Despite the fact that there are fewer O negative lifetime of lives, but only two percent donates. However, in life-threatening emergencies when a blood types in the Islands, the daily demand Blood Bank of Hawaii works to ensure that we not issue transfusion is necessary before blood typing can be difference! DID YOU (see cover story) is a constant. performed, certain blood types are used because only have enough blood, but the right blood types to meet the needs of Hawaii’s patients. they can be given to anyone regardless of their How Can You Help? Blood Bank of Hawaii appreciates all blood type. In these situations, Type O red blood KNOW? The graph shows a closer look at the diversity 100% ID Check blood types! Mahalo to our donors for the cells and Type AB plasma may be transfused. If you are a Type O blood donor: of the major blood types in Hawaii compared critical role they play in ensuring a stable • Give blood as often as you can. to the mainland. Note the lower percentages of blood supply for Hawaii’s patients. In The Spotlight: People with Rh negative blood are part of a unique • Encourage your siblings to donate. Rh negative types. That’s because Rh negative • Ask your children to donate. Offspring of O negative 45 group because their red cells lack the Rh, or D, Tina Leger donors have a 25-50 percent chance of having an 40 antigen. Not only is Rh negative blood transfused Blood type distribution in U.S. O negative blood type too. “Inspirational Coordinator” 35 to individuals who are Rh negative, but like Type 42% O blood, it is also used in urgent circumstances if If you have Type AB blood: 30 Blood type distribution in Hawaii 38% blood is needed before the Rh type of an individual • Ask about plasma donations. 37% BBH At-A-Glance 25 Reference: AABB (formally know as the American Association of Blood Banks) can be determined. This makes O negative blood 34% If you have Jk3 negative blood: important in emergency situations. With just 2.8% 20 Encourage friends and family with Polynesian ethnic percent of Hawaii’s population being O negative, backgrounds who have never donated to give the gift of 15 Life Links: compared to eight percent on the mainland, an ade- life. When blood is matched properly, patients are at 10 City and Council of quate supply O negative blood is always needed. lower risk of developing complications from a transfusion. PERCENTAGE OF BLOOD OF BLOOD PERCENTAGE 5 Honolulu No matter what your type: Jk3 Negative Blood 0 8% 9% 9% • Invite friends, family and co-workers to be lifesavers. Not everyone has a common blood type. Jk3 • Commit to a regular donation schedule. O+ O- A+ 6% A- B+ B- AB+ AB- Did You Know? 2.8% 3.7% negative blood is found more in Polynesians, East • Be a “blood donor ambassador”! 3% 2% 3% 2.3% 1% 1% Asians and Southeast Asians than in any other

BLOOD TYPES BBH AT-A IN THE SPOTLIGHT GLANCE

LIFE LINKS

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