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I created this button for the Red Cross "Give Life" campaign (http://www.givelife.org/). Make an appointment, give blood, give life. Take a copy of the button for your website too!
I've donated blood regularly since December 2002 when I finally got off my duff after years of thinking about it. In July 2003, I learned I have CMV Negative blood which is given to babies, burn victims, AIDS patients, etc.
Information about CMV Negative blood from the Puget Sound Blood Center:
CMV Negative Blood Components
Description
CMV is a herpes virus that resides in the white blood cells of persons who have been infected with the virus. There is a high prevalence of CMV positive persons worldwide. Most persons that are CMV positive have no history of illness.
CMV transmission to susceptible patients is effectively prevented by use of either of the following cellular blood components:
- CMV seronegative - donor determined to be negative for antibody to CMV
- Leukoreduced - containing less than 5 x 106 leukocytes
Cryoprecipitate and fresh frozen plasma are cell free and have not been implicated in CMV transmission.
Indications
CMV negative blood products are indicated for patients in the following categories, regardless of CMV status of the mother:
- premature infants
- infants under 4 weeks of age
- for patients requiring intrauterine transfusion
CMV negative blood products are indicated for CMV negative patients in the following categories:
- bone marrow or organ transplant recipients (if the marrow or organ donor is also CMV negative)
- potential candidates for transplant
- AIDS or HIV infected patients
- patients who have congenital immune deficiency
- patients undergoing splenectomy
- pregnant women
If CMV status is pending in these patients, CMV negative components are
indicated. CMV negative components are not considered necessary for patients receiving chemotherapy.Therapeutic Effect
In patients with compromised immune systems, a CMV infection could result in a serious complication. CMV negative or leukoreduced blood products reduce this hazard.
From an American Red Cross news article on their website:
The Red Cross screens all new blood donors for CMV antibodies, and designates those that are CMV-negative as "CMV Heroes" because of their ability to help special patients, like infants, cancer patients, transplant patients, and others with compromised immune systems who need CMV-negative transfusions. At the Red Cross Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region, which collects blood in southern Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia and Maryland, "CMV Heroes" are additionally honored by earning a special pin when they donate.










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