Mr. TravelTales has Type A negative blood, a relatively rare type.

Here are the percentages in the United States (from Wikipedia):

O + 37.4%
A + 35.7%
B + 8.5%
AB + 3.4%
O - 6.6%
A - 6.3%
B - 1.5%
AB - 0.6%

Because of this he is very popular with the blood banks. They call him as frequently as possible considering the six-week waiting period between donations. We call them the Vampires. He's donating for free and looks forward to the snacks afterward.

The company he deals with, United Blood Services, recently closed their donation center near here, so he has been avoiding their calls, not wanting to drive across town. They finally got him on the phone, and told him his blood contains a rare antigen or something that makes it even more special. I told him they probably tell that to all the girls, and he said that's what he was thinking.

This is what made me think of it, more tales of fun cruises on the high seas.

"HILO, Hawaii (AP) - The Coast Guard is waiting for an update on the condition of a woman who needed blood delivered to her while aboard a Hawaii-bound cruise ship.

A crew flew more than 900 miles to deliver six units of blood and medical supplies Tuesday to the ship northeast of Hilo.

The Carnival Spirit ship arrived in Hilo Wednesday and the Coast Guard says it is standing by to offer more help if needed.

The cruise line and the Coast Guard coordinated with the blood bank at Tripler Army Medical Center on Oahu to provide blood for the passenger. A shatter-proof container holding the blood and was then flown to the cruise ship.

Privacy law prevents the Coast Guard from providing details about the medical complications requiring blood for the 67-year-old woman."

(From the Associated Press.)