Each Low Titer O Positive Whole Blood (LTOWB) donation is tested to ensure that it meets all the requirements of the product. On occasion, we discover that the current donation exceeds the level, or titer, of anti-A and anti-B antigen, which means that the unit is no longer eligible to be used as LTOWB.

Should this happen, the donation can still be used for other purposes – either general whole blood or further manufactured into components such as red cells. Versiti’s current practice is that if a donation should exceed the low titer level, the donor will no longer be eligible for a LTOWB and, because O positive blood is so important for supporting a broad spectrum of patients, the donor will be encouraged to donate red blood cells instead.

Eligibility to donate LTOWB is based on the following criteria: male, type O positive, tests under a certain threshold for anti-A and anti-B antibodies, is not on an aspirin regimen, is not taking platelet-enhancing medications, and not currently taking anticoagulants.

The blood most needed to help trauma patients is type O positive whole blood which has been tested for low levels of certain antibodies making it safe for use with patients of any blood type during trauma or other emergency situations. This whole blood is able to be transfused very quickly, often at the site of an emergency event, and carries with it all the critical oxygenation and clotting properties to help support a patient while hemorrhaging.

By agreeing to participate, you are committing to saving lives of those in our communities who are enduring trauma or other massive hemorrhagic events through 3 or more LTOWB donations per year.

By joining us, you will receive quarterly communications featuring messages from those on the front lines serving patients and stories about patients who received this lifesaving product. You will also receive a commemorative coin demonstrating your commitment to saving lives through Whole Blood Heroes. Lastly, you will receive an invitation to an exclusive Whole Blood Heroes event/webinar where you will hear about the lives saved during the year while we recognize those donors who made the program possible.

To build a community of generous donors who will provide LTOWB in order to serve the needs of civilians in our communities who are undergoing trauma.

Men tend to have lower levels of antibodies in their blood than women. This helps to prevent reactions in patients who receive a transfusion. Low Titer O Positive Whole Blood can be received by almost any patient. This is important because during emergency situations there is no time to test a patient’s blood type for compatibility.

Military research has demonstrated that by providing whole blood, which contains clotting factors and oxygen-carrying red cells, to bleeding patients early in the process greatly reduces mortality and improves patient outcomes.

There will be no change in the donation process from the current whole blood donation process.