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 Medical research shows African Americans have some rare blood traits that are found only in their population. That is why in some instances African American patients need blood from other African Americans.
See the chart below for a list of the rare blood traits and the probabilities of finding people whose blood has those traits.
The following chart shows the probability of finding rare blood traits in African American and Caucasian blood.
| Rarest Blood Traits |
Rare Trait
(Negative from Factor)
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Probability of Finding Rare Trait |
| In Caucasian Population |
In African American Population |
| U |
None Found |
1 in 250 |
| Js(b) |
None Found |
1 in 319 |
| Cr(a) |
None Found |
1 in 6, 429 |
| At(a) |
None Found |
1 in 16, 400 |
| Rh17 |
None Found |
Not established (extremely rare) |
| Jk(b) |
2 out of every 10 donors |
5 out of every 10 donors |
| Fy(a) |
3 out of every 10 donors |
9 out of every 10 donors |
| Fy(b) |
1 out of every 10 donors |
8 out of every 10 donors |
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- One out of three people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime.
- African American patients with diseases such as sickle cell anemia are less likely to produce antibodies to blood donated from other African Americans.
- There are routine shortages of O and B blood types. African Americans have more type O and B blood than other populations.
- Because there are some rare blood antigens (U-negative, Duffy-negative and Jk(b) negative) unique to African-Americans it is hard to find compatible blood types for some patients. Often their best match is a transfusion which comes from another African American donor.
- Giving blood is safe, simple, and it saves lives. No one can get AIDS or any other disease from giving blood! Only sterile, disposable needles and blood bags are used to collect blood.
Rare Trait Screening Statistics
August 8, 2000 – February 2008 |
| Donors Screened |
17,603 |
| Special Traits Found |
245 |
| U Negative |
101 |
| Js(b) Negative |
100 |
| Jo(a) Negative |
25 |
| Hy Negative |
10 |
| hr(B) Negative |
5 |
| Tc(a) Negative |
4 |
| Center Total |
| Shreveport |
79 |
| Monroe |
38 |
| Alexandria |
56 |
| Lake Charles |
28 |
| Beaumont |
38 |
| Baton Rouge |
6 |
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For more information about our donation program, please call the center nearest you.
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LifeShare Donor Centers
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