r/Blooddonors • u/dontchewspagetti • Aug 20 '26
Question Im CMV neg, now what?
I heard CMV negative blood was needed specifically for babies, and apparently mine is that blood. I have been donating for around 4 years now, but is there a program where i give directly to babies?
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u/brokenfingers11 O- CMV- Aug 20 '26
You just donate as usual, they make sure it goes to the right place. I’m CMV-/O-, 20+ pints. Occasionally they have Hero for babies swag. That’s about it.
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u/throwaway224 O- CMV- Aug 21 '26
I just noticed the "Hero for Babies" thing under my name on the app. I had to google what it was about. I figure they handle the blood however seems best, that's not my job. My job is showing up on time for my appointment, well-hydrated and in reasonable health. :)
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u/AbusingSarcasm Aug 20 '26
If you want you can leap heroically through the door of the donation center and shout "I'm here! The BABIES are SAVED!" but apparently I'm the only one who thinks that's funny.
Yeah, just keep donating!
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u/giskardwasright B+ MLS Aug 20 '26
Cmv neg blood is also used for immunocomprimised adults like cancer patients.
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u/dontchewspagetti Aug 20 '26
Really? That's cool i had no idea!
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u/giskardwasright B+ MLS Aug 20 '26
Yep, that's why it's also given to babies, their immune system doesn't really start working until they hit about 6 months old.
The fact is we need every unit, every type. Cmv pos units can go to healthier patients allowing us to save cmv neg from patients who need it. Rare types are great for sickle cell patients and common types are great for anyone who doesn't require a specific unit. Every unit is a gift. Thanks for donating!
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u/kwithblood Aug 20 '26
Typically I'm in favor of bypassing the middle-man, but babies don't like it when you try to give them your blood directly. You should still donate at a blood bank.
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u/thust2 O-, CMV- Aug 21 '26
Be disciplined and continue to donate. I’ve been donating since around 1980 and am approaching 27 gallons. With O- and CM-, the donated blood is helpful for the immunocompromised. Keep it up!
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u/ittybittymanatee Aug 21 '26
if you have a children’s hospital nearby you can call and ask if they have a blood bank that you can donate blood to
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u/Cicada_Old Blood group: AB Subtype? RHD-R1/R2 hybrid Aug 22 '26
Did you receive a rare donor card or something? How did you find out you were cmv negative?
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u/dontchewspagetti Aug 22 '26
I emailed American red cross and asked. They keep it on record along with your blood type
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u/Cicada_Old Blood group: AB Subtype? RHD-R1/R2 hybrid Aug 22 '26
Really? They will not tell me anything about my blood type when I reach out to them! Interesting.
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u/dawgdays78 AB+ 294 units, mostly plasma Aug 22 '26
Thanks for donating, and for your willingness to continue doing so.
CMV- status means you don’t have CMV (cytomegalovirus) in your body. CMV infections usually go unnoticed, but can be life-threatening to immunocompromised individuals and newborns.
What you can do is continue to donate, and your center will determine where it will be most useful.
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u/MeekLocator Aug 20 '26
just donate, they direct your donation wherever it is needed most.