Re: O negative blood type
 

I am o- aswell. 7% of the population in AUS have this type of blood. Our hospitals always (although at the moment there is talk of having to cancel elective surgery because of a shortgage at present) have a supply of this blood type, it is a universal blood type, so is given in emergency situations where there is not enough time to cross match and is the blood of choice for neo-natal transfusions. Base_Sydney I would not be too fearful of being in a situation where you need to have a donor, I would be more inclined to say to you to make sure you have a blood type card on you, if you ever need a transfusion and are not in a position to tell people your blood type, serious complications will and can arise if you are transfused with other type blood. I am off to give blood again on saturday.

Re: O negative blood type
 

This is going to really upset my husband - he has donated over 100 pints of blood in the last 10 years - does it every 56 days religiously. :(

Re: O negative blood type
 

That's a shame, but true, if you lived in the UK between 1980 and 1996 for more than 6 months you are unable to give blood in AUS. His contribution though is well impressive!

Re: O negative blood type
 

I am O- and used to give blood but then they changed the rules so that if you have had a blood transfusion you can no longer give. Double whammy - transfusion and lived here in the 80's. No one wants my blood :( and even the children tried to kill me or them during childbirth :eek: I could take it personally but I won't.

Re: O negative blood type
 

Don't know if this has much relevance to the OP but I am registered on the Aussie organ register, no probs at all. (Type O+, FWIW). Wonder if, when it comes to crunch time and they realise I'm a POM, they'll refuse my donated liver / kidneys / whatever and some poor bugger will miss out.

Not got around to donating blood yet, although did it in the uk, will see what happens when i rock up. looks like it'll be a "thanks but no thanks" scenario. :rolleyes: