3823 - I'm special

Well I got an email from the Red Cross yesterday telling me I'm special. Here's what they said...


The smallest patients need the most specialized care. You can help them in a way most people can't.

Your blood has been tested and currently shows as negative for Cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is generally harmless to adults, but can be fatal to babies. CMV is present in up to 85 percent of adults by age 40, so your negative status is a pretty big deal.

Babies who need transfusions should only receive blood from donors who have not been exposed to CMV. That's where donors like you come in.

The American Red Cross sends blood products to hospitals throughout the country every day and they depend on donors like you to make sure CMV negative blood is available for pediatric patients.

Since only a small number of donors are able to meet this very specific medical need, we hope you will continue to answer the call to give blood on a consistent basis.

What does being CMV negative mean? And why is it important?

CMV (Cytomegalovirus) is a flu-like virus that most adults are exposed to at some point in their lives. As with other viruses, once you've had CMV, your body retains the antibodies.

In the case of infants with low birth weight, the consequences of being exposed to this virus could be severe or even fatal Because the immune systems in infants are not fully developed, every precaution must be taken.

Scientific studies have shown CMV negative blood is safer for pediatric patients. Therefore, hospitals prefer to use CMV negative pediatric units to ensure the safety of blood transfusions to newborns.


I get a call from the Red Cross every 58 days anyway. Now it looks like if I don't 'show up' on day 58 they'll be coming to my house to see why I didn't show up at a blood drive somewhere.

Apparently this is a herpes type of virus.
Here's the Wikipedia LINK.

Here's the CDC LINK.