I'm reviving this thread - as I want to suggest all of you that are healthy and able to donate blood to do so. Donate at least once - or become a regular donor please! After reading 911T Targa's thread of his preemie nephew (
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1051033-fighting-his-life.html) and his need for a transfusion I felt I needed to bring this topic up and after a search found this thread.
Here is my story:
My father died from gastric cancer 9 years ago. He was an 81 YO cigar smoker. When he was admitted to the ICU he was given 3 units of blood. I recall him being a periodic blood donor when he was younger and healthier. Although I had donated blood periodically - it wasn't something that I enjoyed doing. But after hearing about his need for the blood units, I had a "calling" - I'll use the term "take my Dad's place" as a donor. I've been donating consistently since that time - although I did have one year, when after dental work (which involved cadaver tissue) I was not able to donate. On Jan 24th I donated my 40th unit - and got my 5 Gallon pin.
About 3 donations prior - I was asked by the Red Cross nurse if I knew that my blood was CMV Negative. I had never been told this and didn't know what it meant. He explained what CMV Negative meant and told me only about 20% of baby boomer generation do not have the CMV antibody. (Google search results: CMV or Cytomegalovirus is a virus that is not harmful to healthy adults and is found in more than half the population. Donors who have not been exposed to the virus have CMV negative blood, which is important for patients with weakened or underdeveloped immune systems.) The nurse then told me that my blood donations were likely use for newborn/preemies needing blood - since they can not receive CMV Positive blood. So all this time - I had been donating blood in honor of my deceased father, my blood had more likely been going to preemies!
So - suck it up - and go donate blood!
