Do you know your blood type? A survey commissioned by Quest Diagnostics in 2022 revealed that more Americans know their astrological sign (66 percent) than their blood type (51 percent).
Steven Murphy, a WestPac Region logistics implementation strategy manager in San Diego, knows his blood type: O negative, which makes him a universal donor. His blood can be used in transfusions for anyone.
There are eight blood types: A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, AB positive, AB negative, O positive and O negative.
The designations A, B, AB and O are determined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on the surface of the red blood cell. In addition, a protein called the Rh factor is described as either present (positive) or absent (negative).
Only 7 percent of the population is O negative.
Murphy is also cytomegalovirus (CMV) negative. “I had no idea what that was, until the phlebotomist explained it to me,” he said. This flulike virus is related to the pathogens that cause chickenpox, herpes and mononucleosis.
“Apparently it’s pretty rare to be my age and still not exposed to it,” said Murphy, 52.
Only 15 percent of the population is CMV negative.
Though CMV is not problematic for most people, it can be fatal to babies and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as cancer and transplant patients. “Someone like my wife, who had leukemia when she was a kid,” Murphy said.
Being both O negative and CMV negative is a rare combination that’s present in only 2 percent of the population. There is a constant need for this blood type. Murphy feels a sense of responsibility to donate regularly. He visits the blood bank about every two months, the recommended interval between donations of whole blood.
The donation process takes around an hour. “They ask a few questions, check your blood pressure, fill a couple little vials for testing, and then you’re good to go,” Murphy said. It takes just 8-10 minutes to collect a pint of blood.
“Typically they don’t tell you where your blood donation is going. But that doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “I feel good that I can play a part in hopefully saving someone’s life. It’s very rewarding.”
This article originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of The Eagle magazine.
