Thank you Dedworth for again reminding those members who are eligible to donate blood – few of us ( 1/25 ) give blood yet most would accept a transfusion if we needed one .


• Our four main blood groups are defined by the " ABO " system. A has A antigens ( surface proteins ) on the red blood cells and anti-B antibodies ; B has B antigens and anti-B antibodies ; O has no antigens but anti-A and anti-B antibodies ; AB has A and B antigens but no antibodies. Red blood cells may also have the RhD antigen.


• About half the UK population has blood group O and 85% are RhD + ( positive ) – the commonest type is O + ( 36% ). In medical emergencies ( blood group not yet known ) O – blood may be given.


• The distribution of blood types is different elsewhere in the world – over 99% in the Philippines are RhD +.


• Thus around 36% are A + in UK ( 23% Philippines ) ; 6% A – UK ; 7% B + UK ( 25% Philippines ) ; 1% B – UK ; 40% O + UK ( 45% Philippines ) ; 7% O – UK ; 2.5% AB + UK ( 6% Philippines ) ; 0.5% AB – UK.


• There are screening measures to ensure blood donation is safe for the donor and the recipient – including health checks and confirmation of blood group ; and tests for several serious infections ( including syphilis, hepatitis B and C, HIV, and malaria if indicated ) – whether in UK or ( to my knowledge ) Philippines.



• Of course blood transfusion is not without risk, and blood is a precious resource so the indications for transfusion must be sound. Serious errors such as transfusing mismatched blood or transmitting an infection are minimised by rigorous protocols.


• As for " putting into storage " your own blood ( autologous donation ), advantages may include an exact match, with no infectious agents. However, there are still possibilities of contamination during donation; mislabelling; unnecessary transfusion ( because the supply exists ); and the costs of processing / storage ( usually only possible for 6 weeks ). " Banking " of blood from a patient before planned surgery is only considered with rare blood groups ( or lack of donated blood ) ; or for patients who may refuse to consent to donated blood. Autologous donations account for a very small proportion of the total ( 5% in USA ).


• In the Philippines, the Red Cross provides transfusion services, and hopefully the Blood Disease and Transfusion Center future care for patients with blood disorders.


http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-g...roduction.aspx


http://www.uptodate.com/contents/blo...ond-the-basics


http://www.redcross.org.ph/get-involved/give-blood


http://medicalobserverph.com/bill-se...cal-institute/