The universal donor is blood type O. Those with blood type O can donate blood to anybody, but they can only receive from O. The universal acceptor is AB. AB blood can only be given to AB, but they can receive from any type.
Most people are aware of this, but did you know that O is also the most common blood type (47%), while AB is very rare (3%)?
This surprised me. Ever since Dr. Jack Shephard searched desperately to find a blood donor for Boone Carlyle, I assumed O was the rarest blood type because of its selfless nature. That which is valuable should also be rare, no? At least, that's what I learned, growing up in this society, where companies destroy diamonds in the interest of prices.
I would love to be able to see the world in a perspective where the common was also the best. I think medicine is one of those rare fields where that is the case. Non remarkable, negative, and insignificant: outside the examination room, we strive to rise above these levels, but in this business, these are the words you want to hear.
I'm glad I made the right career choice!
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