Rare blood groups

[louis]

I am posting this on behalf of a concerned mother.

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Hi,

I wonder if the Singapore blood bank keep a list of Donor for the rare blood group community, in particular to the minus group. What happens to an individual that happens to fall into the rare blood group? Do they have to regularly donate their own blood? Is there a fees to this?

My 1 year old son is having O- & my blood group is O+ & his father is B+. Non of the entire family members including the distance uncles & aunties has such blood group. What can I do to prepare any incident happens when my son needed blood? We did not have his cord blood kept.

Please advise & help us to prepare for any bad thing happens. I'm extremely worry as I know O- is Universal Donor but they cannot accept other blood group except it's own type

Thanks & best regards

[Shan Xue]

Yes, Singapore blood bank keep a list of Donor for the rare blood group community. In the event that there is shortage of the rare blood type, blood bank will call the list of donors with the rare blood group to ask them to come forward to donate.

It is also possible to donate blood to oneself, known as autologous transfusion.

http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/autologous_transfusion.html (http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_services/blood_donation/autologous_transfusion.html)
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/hsa_library/health_services/blood_donation/files_1.Par.26271.File.tmp/donating_blood_to_yourself.pdf (http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/hsa_library/health_services/blood_donation/files_1.Par.26271.File.tmp/donating_blood_to_yourself.pdf)

It is not necessary for a person with rare blood type to donate blood regularly. However, I understand that regular blood donors will have priority in the event of shortage should they need blood themselves.

When a relative or friend need blood and there is shortage and you are worried about it, call
Red Cross Blood Donor Recruitment Programme
Tel: 6220 0183

Bloodbank@HSA
Tel: 6223 5640 / 6213 0626

[forjean]

Hi Shan Xue,

My son is only 21 mths old so it will take a long time before he can start donating blood for himself. He is having blood type o- which cannot accept others but his own blood type. What I research from the internet is that, there're less than 7% of the world population is having this blood group. Do we have enough donor having O- currently in Singapore?

A very worried mother

[Shan Xue]

Hi forjean,

There should be enough. You can find out more by calling

Blood Donor Recruitment Programme
Singapore Red Cross Society
Tel: 6220-0183

[Shan Xue]

Reply from blood bank.



Dear Mdm

As you have rightly pointed out, Rhesus negative blood type is considered very rare. Indeed, less than 1% of Singapore population is O-. To ensure that blood needs for rhesus negative blood type and other rare blood types are regularly met, the Singapore Red Cross, our National Blood Donor Recruiter has set up a registry of rare blood type donors. If a patient who needs a blood transfusion is identified by the Bloodbank@HSA as having an unusual blood type, blood that is compatible with that of the patient will be identified from the list of rare blood donors in the registry. Those interested to sign up for this registry can call the Singapore Red Cross at 62200183 or email: [email protected]

I would also like to inform you that any healthy person can start donating blood from 16 years old with the parental consent. I strongly urge you to encourage him to donate blood regularly once he turns 16, so that there is always sufficient blood stock for patient in need.

If the patient is belonged to rare blood type, he could consider donating Autologous Blood for his own planned surgery once he meets the minimum weight criteria of 25kg. This will ensure the availability of blood that is suitable for him if required.

I hope I have adequately clarified the situation. Please do not hesitate to contact us again if you need further explanation.

Best regards.

Dr Tan Hwee Huang | Acting Division Director | Blood Supply Division |
Blood Services Group
( (65) 62130606 | 6 (65) 62238682 | Visit us at http://www.hsa.gov.sg/