The phone rang early this morning...somebody special needed me!

[Omaha Steve]

I have O positive virus negative blood. They never tell you who needs it. I just know because I'm virus negative it is reserved for somebody special. See below.

OS

http://thebloodconnection.org/products-services/donor-services/baby-donors/




Baby Donors

What is a Baby Donor?
You may have heard someone say “I’m a baby donor” or “I donate for the babies.” What does that mean? It means they are CMV negative – the person has not been exposed to the cytomegalovirus, or CMV. This is important because in low birth weight infants, the consequences of such infection may be severe or even fatal.

What is CMV?
CMV (Cytomegalovirus) CMV is a complex flu-like virus that most adults are exposed to at sometime in their lives. It is a double stranded DNA virus belonging to the herpes virus family.

Who gets CMV?
Almost everyone is susceptible to the virus, although males ages 18-26 seem to be the least likely to get it. As with other viruses, once you’ve had them, your body retains the antibodies.

Why is CMV Negative Blood Preferred for Pediatric Transfusions?
CMV can persist in infected donor white cells and is often transmitted by a blood transfusion, but rarely causes disease. However, in the case of low birth weight infants the consequences of such infection may be severe or even fatal. Because the immune systems in these infants are not fully developed, every precaution must be taken to avoid infection. Scientific studies have shown blood lacking this virus (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.

How is Donor Blood Tested for CMV?
The Blood Connection donor blood testing services checks for the presence of CMV antibodies. If no antibodies are present, the donor is deemed CMV negative, and can be a “baby donor.” Donors who have tested negative in the past are re-tested prior to the release of their blood because there is a chance the donor may have been exposed to CMV infection since the last donation.

[peacebird]

1. Someone special & their family is giving Thanks for You today Omaha Steve!

[roguevalley]

13. every day in every way you exceed expectations, my DEAR steve.

they say, if you save one life, you save the world. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.

EDIT! OH SHIT! I have severe carpal tunnel, steve. I do this all the time. SORRY! OMG! BAD HAND! BAD, BAD HAND!!!!! Hugs, honey. Keep on keeping on.

[monmouth4]

2. Such a wonderful gift on this day..You rock Omaha Steve...n/t

[Scarsdale]

47. Yes!

x 100.

[LonePirate]

3. Another shining example of your dedication to the well-being of everyone, Steve.

Nicely done and thank you!

[femmocrat]

4. Bless you, Steve.

There is a family who is very thankful for you today!

[Gormy Cuss]

5. Cool. n/t

[rhett o rick]

6. Bless you Steve. Have a great Thanksgiving. nm

[SoapBox]

7. Wow...what a way to start your day.

So when would you go to donate?

[Omaha Steve]

8. The phone rang at 7:15 was gone by 7:30

Last edited Sat Nov 28, 2015, 05:14 PM - Edit history (1)

I wasn't really awake yet. Grabbed some coffee and went.

OS

[PumpkinAle]

9. Thank you Steve for doing this - wish I could

but I was in the UK during the "mad cow" years and now am not allowed to donate in the US - it is a real bummer, because I used to give regularly until then.

[Punkingal]

10. How wonderful!

You are a good man! Have a great Thanksgiving!

[CTyankee]

11. that is wonderful. so happy that you are able to do this...

thank god for people like you in the world...

[secondwind]

12. what a heartwarming Thanksgiving story! you rock, OS!

[panader0]

14. I'm touched by your kindness Steve.

A very good man.

[oldandhappy]

15. what a wonderful gift you were able to give -- life!

Thank you.

[merrily]

16. Doesn't that blood type make you a so-called "universal donor?" I shoulda known!

Great that you were able to help and willing!

[rurallib]

18. O-negative is the universal donor

[merrily]

20. Ah. "Close, but no cigar," as my one true nemesis said.

[jeff47]

24. Most people are Rh positive, so O-positive blood is still extremely helpful.

About 85% of whites are Rh positive (the percentage varies by race).

[Aerows]

27. Those of Irish and German descent

are the predominant O- folks. My Mother is German/English, my father Irish/German.

[merrily]

28. Hence the reference to my nemesis's all too frequent

(yet maddeningly accurate) taunt to me: "Close, but no cigar."

[Aerows]

30. I would recover far sooner than a child

A fainting spell and anemia is better corrected in an adult than in a baby.

I would not hesitate to do so.

[merrily]

31. I think most of us would not hesitate. But, did you mean to direct that response to me or to

Omaha Steve?

Happy Thanksgiving, btw! Hope you are having a great day.

[Aerows]

32. No, just the thread

I have the same blood type.

I want to donate but am advised against it due to my weight issues. I'm building them back though, so maybe soon, I can!

[merrily]

34. I responded to you elsewhere on the thread about the weight issues.

[lovemydog]

17. So thankful for everyone who helps others.

Happy Thanksgiving Omaha Steve.

[rurallib]

19. About 5 years ago I got called in on a Sunday to give white cells for a baby

Got the call @ 4AM - "How fast can you get here?"
I am Oneg - they never said said anything about the CMV antibody, but I am sure they had checked it. Been giving for a long time.

So by 6:30 my donation was finishing, the doctor literally pacing at my feet. When the machine stopped she grabbed the white cells and ran out of the unit.

As you said, they can't tell you who or what happened. But the family left a gift basket at the donor center with a card that said "she lives" that I got at my next scheduled donation.

Thanks for letting me share this with you Steve. I think the world of you and it is nice to have somewhat of a shared experience.

Giving blood - I feel privileged to be able to do it.

[7962]

23. That is an amazing story. What a feeling it must've given you.

My girlfriend has the CMV- but I'm not sure of her type. I know they call her as soon as the day limit passes.

[Omaha Steve]

44. I was interviewed in May on TV while donating

I feel privileged to be able to do it too.

Video: http://kmtv.video.jrn.com/?ndn.trackingGroup=90837&ndn.siteSection=kmtvstudio_hom_non_sec&ndn.videoId=29027958&freewheel=90837&sitesection=kmtvstudio_hom_non_sec&vid=29027958

[rurallib]

45. Good job, Steve!

You have a face made for radio or posting on the internet, though

[Omaha Steve]

50. Keep an eye open on Dec 20th

Everybody will love my Christmas card.

[Aerows]

21. I have O-

I donated once, but it made me faint because I was underweight. I didn't know you had to be over 110 lbs. to do so.

I have gotten more calls than you can imagine, but I can't due to my weight. I ate enough today in hopes that it makes a difference !

[jeff47]

25. I'm also O-, and let's just say I don't have that particular weight problem.

Looooooooots of phone calls, starting about a week before I'm eligible to donate.

[Aerows]

26. Maybe with the exercise I have been doing

and the thanksgiving I've been eating, I can climb that hill!

[Aerows]

29. I will say this

If they called me for a baby's life?

Despite the risks, I'd do it. I can get stronger - a child on the verge of death cannot.

[merrily]

33. Aerows, I would never have guessed you were so slight physically! You are so robust in

personality--and that is intended as a compliment.

When I weighed 118, I was a size 2. However, I am 5'6", so I was not exactly a delicate flower, even at that weight. If I had weighed 110, which I probably did when I was 11--I would have had to have a size 0 taken in.

[merrily]

36. Hmmm.

I just have to make it work for me, despite how it might disappoint everyone else, I have to delight myself.

No matter how tempted, I will not do to you what you did to me. I just won't.

[Aerows]

37. I'm 5'3"

I barely break 110 on a good day, but I can hit the rowing machine like a devil.

I have to do so, to keep both frustration down and my weight up.

Believe it or not, I'm a Southern cook.

OMG, it just occurred to me how suggestive that sounded, and I really apologize!

[Aerows]

38. Shit, this one was probably worse.

God Lord.

[merrily]

39. Well, ahem, but you don't need to apologize to me for sounding suggestive

inadvertently or otherwise. I can take it! However, you can take comfort in the fact that no added "That's what she said!" as some poster did with me, when something I posted about a bird in the oven was inadvertently suggestively.

Of course, I am far too fine and discreet a person to call out names and thereby embarrass anyone, but I think you may just have happened to notice which poster did that to me.

[Aerows]

40. OMG. I did do the "Bird in the Oven" "That's what she said"

thing to you!

I am such a hypocrite.

[merrily]

41. There, there. Confession is good for the soul. And you are penitent as well. I can respect that.

Far be it from me to hold a grudge. Well, maybe not really all that far. But, in his instance, te absolvo


Go in peace, my child. And get on my case no more.

[7962]

22. My girlfriend has CMV- blood. I'd never heard of it till her.

And she got me started donating too.

[hamsterjill]

42. Love to you, Steve.

For just being you!!!

[TNNurse]

43. You made Thanksgiving

for someone.....an early Christmas, too.

[Duckfan]

46. You should be awarded the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year Award

Seriously.

As Thom Hartmann would say, "good on ya."

[Nay]

48. There is nothing nobler than helping a tiny baby! Steve, you rock! nt

[madokie]

49. Steve you are a wonderful person

An all around good dude. One I can only dream to be

The world is a much better place just for your having lived in it

[wendylaroux]

51. This is awesome!! never heard of this

ya learn something new everyday.

Thank you Steve,for giving

[stage left]

52. My hat's off

to you, sir.

[Funtatlaguy]

53. Steve - you are a wonderful role model

I have read your posts for years.
Always admired your mind.
Now, I admire your heart, as well.

[saidsimplesimon]

54. Thank you, Omaha Steve, I read all of your threads.

Just wanted to let you know that you have given me many reasons to contemplate my contributions to others.

[Duval]

55. Somebody special needed someone else special and

that was YOU, Omaha Steve. A marvelous Thanksgiving experience I'm sure you will not forget.