What’s Your Blood Type?
Your blood type determines who you can donate to, or receive blood from. People with type O negative (O-) are considered universal donors, as they can donate red blood cells to all other blood type recipients. That’s why it’s always in high demand — it’s used in emergency situations when there is no time to test a patient’s blood type.
People with type AB positive (AB+) are considered universal recipients for red blood cells as they can receive them from any other blood type donor.
The most common blood type in Canada is O positive (O+), about 39 per cent of the population has it, which is why we have the greatest need for type O blood.
The least common type is AB negative (AB-), the blood type of less than one per cent of the population.
