The Whole Blood Titan program encourages donors with low-titer type O blood to donate regularly. Low-titer blood contains low levels of anti-A and anti-B antibodies, which makes it ideal for emergency transfusions.

Instead of the usual practice of separating blood into its component parts before a transfusion, whole blood from low-titer type O donors can be transfused with all components at once.

We ask that donors with low-titer type O blood join the Whole Blood Titan program and commit to donating regularly. Qualified donors will receive a letter of invitation with program details.

airmed helicopter
airmed with cooler

University of Utah Health AirMed helicopters carry low-titer type O blood to help patients while they are being transported to the hospital.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is low-titer blood?

“Titer” in this case refers to a laboratory test that measures the concentration of certain antibodies in a blood sample. If someone has a low concentration of anti-A and anti-B antibodies, they have low-titer blood.

How do I know if I have low-titer blood?

We test the levels of anti-A and anti-B antibodies in every donor with type O blood, and we invite donors who meet the low-titer criteria to join the Whole Blood Titan program.

Having low levels of these antibodies does not affect your health status, but it means we have a safer way to transfuse your blood to any patient in need, regardless of their blood type.

I am a Whole Blood Titan. How will my blood be used to help patients?

Your blood may be transfused to patients being transported by the University of Utah Health AirMed helicopter, patients who are severely bleeding in the emergency room, or newborns or neonatal patients in emergency cases. As a Whole Blood Titan, you help us maintain a continuous supply of blood for patients who may need blood urgently as part of their treatment.

Why might a neonate need a blood transfusion?

A newborn baby might need a blood transfusion for many reasons. There may have been bleeding before delivery, the baby could have an infection, or the newborn might have severe anemia. Full-term babies are not able to produce red blood cells until one to three months after birth, and premature babies have a lower red blood cell count at birth than full-term babies, so premature newborns often have anemia.

Is everyone with type O blood eligible to be a Whole Blood Titan?

Not all donors with type O blood are eligible for this program. To be a Whole Blood Titan, a donor must have low-titer type O blood.

Why does ARUP collect whole blood donations?

The whole blood collection and transfusion method has been used by the military for several decades, and this method is now becoming a more standard practice of care for trauma centers across the country. The latest research has found that directly transfusing one unit of whole blood to a neonate or a patient recovering from trauma can be an effective lifesaving measure because all of the blood components are given at the same time.

Only 5% of ARUP donors are likely to be eligible type O- Whole Blood Titans.

Only 27% of ARUP donors are likely to be eligible type O+ Whole Blood Titans.

Note:

Donations from Whole Blood Titans can be used up to 21 days postcollection. However, whole blood units that will be given to neonates can only be used up to 7 days postcollection.