Rare Donors

You may have noticed a "Rare Donor" tag on your blood donation and wondered what it means. This isn’t a health concern—in fact, it’s a positive and unique characteristic! Being identified as a rare donor means you have the ability to be a perfect match for a patient in our local community who depends on lifesaving transfusions. At Hoxworth Blood Center, we track rare blood types to ensure these patients receive the blood they need. Your donation is especially valuable, and the great news is you can donate every 56 days for a whole blood donation to continue making a difference!

Every blood donor is tested for their ABO and Rh type (such as A+, O-, etc.), but beyond that, there are over 100 additional blood group factors that make each person’s blood unique. A donor is considered “rare” if they lack specific blood group antigens or have a rare antigen combination that is uncommon in the general population.

Your blood type may be rare for a variety of reasons, including:

• You lack common antigens found in most people’s blood
• You have an uncommon combination of antigens
• Your blood is a perfect match for a small group of patients in the tri-state area with complex transfusion needs

For some local patients, receiving the right blood type is critical to their health and survival. This includes individuals with:

• Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
• Autoimmune conditions requiring frequent transfusions
• Blood disorders that prevent them from receiving common blood types
• A history of developing antibodies against common blood types

Because rare blood is difficult to find, donors like you play a vital role in ensuring these local patients in our local hospitals receive the safest, most compatible transfusions possible.

If your blood was tagged as rare, we encourage you to:

• Continue donating regularly – This isn’t a health concern, it’s a positive and unique characteristic! Your blood could be life-saving for a patient in need in our community today.
• National Rare Donor Program – If identified to participate in the American Rare Donor Program (ARDP), this allows us to contact you when your specific blood type is urgently needed for specific patients. Click here to read the "One in a Million" brochure and learn more.
• Contact us to learn more – If you have questions about why your blood is rare, our team can provide more details about your unique blood type.

We’re here to help! If you’d like to learn more about your rare blood type, please fill out the Rare Donor Contact Form and a Hoxworth team member will reach out with more information.

Thank you for being a dedicated blood donor. Your generosity makes a life-saving impact every day!