How is this information useful to me?
Knowing what types of blood, if you should ever need a transfusion, are
compatible with yours is a pro-active step in your own health care.
Especially if you are of a rare type, this
can be valuable information. Most area blood banks and Red Cross offices have
reference charts so you can learn this; however, you need to know your own
blood type first.
Many people carry emergency information on their persons at all times - emergency contacts, insurance, etc. Including blood type with your emergency information is a recent recommendation. In an emergency situation if your blood type is known it will alert the medical team if you are of a rare or a common blood type.
Another way this information can be useful is more global. You sometimes hear on your local news a plea for people with certain blood types to donate to blood banks when supplies are low - if you know your type you might be able to help.
