Don’t Know Your Blood Type? Here’s How To Find Out For Free

It was well until I was in my 30's when I figured out what my blood type was. Fortunately there was no reason that I absolutely needed to know.  It's not something that they check on a routine physical, and I had no idea where any birth records were on it. My mother thought she knew what blood type I was but wasn't 100% sure.

I guess I don't blame her because I have no idea what my daughter's blood type is. It's not really something we think about. So how do you find out your blood type?

There's a few ways that you can do it. But the best way to find out is by donating blood if you are able. You'll find out your blood type, and you'll also be saving lives. This year there has been a critically low supply of blood across the country as the pandemic has taken it's toll. Many regular donors stopped going into clinics because they were afraid of catching COVID. Can you blame them?

Now with vaccines rolled out and safety measures still in place at hospitals, clinics, and blood donation centers, you can safely give blood and help. This was the first year I donated blood. I did it this spring when things were even worse than they are now in terms of low supply levels. They called me back when I was eligible to donate again to see if I would come in. It was so harmless the first time I went in again. This time around it really only took 20 minutes out of my day.

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We're also approaching another vulnerable time of year when it comes to blood supply. An article in Mille Lacs Messenger finds that hurricane season is approaching which can not only increase the need for blood donations, but also shut down donation clinics during natural disasters.

Wildfires have been particularly bad this year, causing many blood drive locations to close or not operate. That leads to less and less blood available to the population.

Giving a blood donation is easy. You'll get your information on your blood type typically in just a couple of weeks. You'll also feel good about donating your blood and savings lives. Trauma victims, burn victims, open heart surgery patients, cancer patients, and a whole bunch of other people rely on blood donations. Every 2 seconds in America, a person needs blood.