Many countries have their Rare Donor Program to help the patients who have difficulty in getting matched, compatible blood, especially cancer patients, complex pregnancy cases, thalassemia patients etc.
Rotary TTK Blood Centre, BMST has initiated a rare donor program and registry in partnership with Karnataka, State Blood Transfusion Council (KSBTC) and the ICMR centre, National Institute of Immunohematology (NIH) Mumbai.
Who has a rare blood type?
- People with blood types occurring in less than 1% of the population.
What does it mean?
- When you say “My Blood Type is O Positive, it refers to the Major ABO & RhD blood group system
- But there are >200 other blood types, which are not checked for routinely.
- Most of them are found in 99% of the population
- If you are in the 1% who do not have it, you have a rare blood type
Can it cause problems?
- Usually no. But if you need blood, it MAY be difficult to find matched compatible blood.
- In that case, call us so that we can call a rare donor from our registry to donate blood for you
Does BMST test for Rare Donors?
- Yes. We do additional tests to identify rare blood type people
- We send the rare blood type details by WhatsApp to the blood donor.
- We offer FREE testing for the children and siblings to see if anyone has a rare blood type as well.
Rare Donor Registry
- We are trying to build a registry of such rare donors, to help patients who face difficulties getting matched blood for transfusion.
How can I be a part of this effort?
- If you belong to a rare blood Type, join our Rare Donor Registry
- Share your WhatsApp and e mail details for messages from us.
- We will call you to donate blood only when a patient needs your rare blood type
- That’s your moment to become a Life Saver!
