Fewer than 50 people worldwide possess "Golden Blood," a rare type lacking all Rh antigens.

Rh-null blood was first discovered in 1961 in an Indigenous Australian woman. Until then, doctors assumed that an embryo lacking all Rh blood cell antigens would not survive. This blood type is characterized by the complete absence of all 61 antigens in the Rh system, which is much more complex than the standard positive or negative designations used in basic blood typing.The rarity of Rh-null is staggering, with fewer than 50 cases reported since its discovery over 60 years ago. Because it lacks these antigens, Rh-null is considered a universal donor type for anyone with rare Rh blood types. However, its scarcity creates a dangerous situation for the carriers themselves. If an Rh-null individual needs a transfusion, they can only safely receive blood from another Rh-null person.Transporting this blood across international borders is a massive bureaucratic challenge often managed by the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory in Bristol, UK. Due to the limited number of active donors, scientists and doctors must carefully manage every drop. This blood is so valuable for research and emergency transfusions that it has earned the nickname Golden Blood among hematologists worldwide.