Help Babies

The smallest patients need the most specialized care.

Babies needing transfusions as part of their medical care should only receive blood from donors who have not been exposed to CMV. CMV (Cytomegalovirus) is a flu-like virus that most adults are exposed to at some point in their lives.

• CMV is generally harmless to adults, but can be fatal to babies. As with other viruses, once someone has had CMV, their body retains the antibodies.
• Regular testing is conducted on blood donations to check for CMV antibodies. The CMV virus is present in up to 85 percent of adults by age 40 – making CMV negative status a big deal.
• Type O negative blood donors who are CMV- are part of a special group – Heroes for Babies.
• The American Red Cross sends pediatric-specific blood products to hospitals throughout the country every day.
• Since only a small number of donors are able to meet this very specific medical need, we ask eligible CMV negative donors to answer the call to give blood on a consistent basis. 
• Give blood two or more times in 2019 and receive one of the following rewards: 

How it works:

We will track your 2019 donations and send you updates throughout the year. Power Red donations will count as two donations. In January 2020, you'll receive communication with instructions on how to claim your gift.* Be sure your email address is correct in your redcrossblood.org profile.