Broadening the base of a rare donor program by targeting minority populations

Some red cell phenotypes are found exclusively in one race and may be of low frequency. Finding compatible blood for patients needing one of these rare types has been extremely difficult. A program was implemented to screen large numbers of donors for blood types found solely in their racial group. Implementation steps included obtaining broad community endorsement of the concept, educating blood service personnel, developing educational materials, enlisting the support of a knowledgeable physician from a minority group, developing a computer program to facilitate selection of donors to be tested, beginning the program and making the necessary adjustments, doing the laboratory testing to identify rare bloods, notifying the rare donors, and maintaining the enthusiasm of the entire blood service for the rare donor screening program. After 7706 black donors were typed, 1 Cr-, 5 Hy-, 24 U-, and 20 Js(b-) persons were found; one U- donor was also Js(b-).