Versiti - Blood Types Explained | Versiti Blood Centers
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Rare and UncommonBlood Types

Rare blood types are hard to find, but always needed.
Refer an Ro Donor

How rare is Ro blood type? How does it help patients with sickle cell disease?

Mario Higgins, rare blood type donor.

Rare and Uncommon Blood Types Explained Everything You Need to Know About Inherited Genetic Differences

Having a rare or uncommon blood type doesn’t mean your blood is better or worse—it’s just a genetic difference. But it DOES mean you are extremely special!

You’ve likely heard of the common blood groups: A, B, AB and O. But did you know? Besides these common blood groups, there are over 35 other blood groups and over 600 other known antigens. The unique mix of proteins and sugars (antigens) present on your red cells, which you inherited from your biological parents, determines your extended blood type and whether you fall into one of these rare and uncommon blood groups.

One of these uncommon blood types is the Ro blood type, which is invaluable for patients with sickle cell disease. 

Your blood is rare and exceptional graphic

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is aninherited disorder of hemoglobin. Individuals with sickle cell disease have abnormal, or 'sickle shaped', red blood cells. These cells cannot transport oxygen well, have a shorter lifespan and aren't replaced as quickly by the body as normal, healthy red blood cells.

This can cause anemia.

Download the Sickle Cell Disease Flyer
Lena Harvey

Lena Harvey

I just want people to keep it in the right perspective and to consider how great their life could be, instead of focusing on how bad it was. I have lived that many times over, but we all deserve a chance at life.

Lena Harvey
Sickle Cell warrior and advocate.
 

Ro Donor Referral Form

Ro blood donors like you – and potentially your family members – are truly special and have unique power to save lives in our community.

Want to help save more lives? If you are currently an Ro blood donor and wish to refer a family member, please enter your family member’s contact information below. A Versiti representative can connect with your family member about becoming a donor, too. As a thank you, you will receive a free downloadable infographic about your Ro blood type to share on social media.

Family Member Contact Information

Address Information

Your Contact Information

Current Ro Blood Donor: Please complete your contact information below. We will send an email with the Ro downloadable infographic as well. Thank you!

* Please enter code below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please continue to donate regularly. We get many requests each day for patients across the country who are in immediate need of blood. If we have blood available in our inventory, we can ship it the same day.

No. A person with a rare blood type does not have better or worse blood - it is just a genetic difference. And it means you are extremely special!

Yes, especially your brothers and sisters. Please encourage them to donate also.

The term “rare” means that the type occurs in only a few people. Some rare types only occur in 1 in 5000 people. Many rare types are unique to specific populations. For example, Vel negative blood is more common in Caucasians while U negative blood is more commonly found in African Americans.

Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin will contact you occasionally to update your address. We may also contact you to donate if we receive a request for your rare blood type and have no available units.

Versiti will notify ARDP that we are registering a donor, for example, that is O Positive and U Negative. If another blood center needs O Positive U Negative blood, ARDP can check their database and see that we have a donor registered with that type. They will then contact us to see if we have blood available or can call a donor to donate.

If you donate blood and we do not have any requests for your type, your donation is frozen for use in the future. Blood can be specially frozen for up to 10 years.

A Versiti staff member will be glad to help you. Please call 414-937-6205.

ARDP is the American Rare Donor Program. It is based in Philadelphia where they maintain a nationwide database of rare donors.

Because some blood types are so rare, your donation may be somebody's only hope for survival. Patients who need frequent transfusions because of certain diseases such as sickle cell disease, leukemia and other cancers are especially susceptible.

No. Versiti only provides ARDP with your blood type and donor number. No personal information is provided.