Help Babies

Donate Blood for 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.
O negative and O positive 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 2021 and receive one of the following rewards:

2 Donations

Heroes for Babies T-Shirt

3 Donations

$10 Gift Card

4+ Donations

Fleece Blanket Tote

How it works:

We will track your 2021 donations and send you updates throughout the year. Power Red donations will count as two donations. In January 2022, you'll receive communication with instructions on how to claim your gift.* Be sure your email address is correct in your redcrossblood.org profile.

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Why Your Donations Matter. Meet Braden Healey.

Born at 28 weeks, Braden Healey was a preemie weighing just 3 pounds. He arrived by emergency cesarean section after a traumatic pregnancy. Following delivery, Braden immediately needed blood.

“He received blood from the Red Cross,” said Mike, Braden’s father. “I needed to pay it back with my own blood. I gave blood the next day and have done it 56 times since then.”

After becoming a donor, Mike found out he is Cytomegalovirus (CMV) negative. His blood can go to babies who are in the neonatal intensive care unit—just like Braden years ago. He shared, “I feel this is now my calling.”

Braden spent the first 49 days of his life in the NICU. But now, he’s a strong and healthy boy.

Premature babies all over the country need this very special type of blood. Thank you for being a loyal blood donor—your donation could help a patient just like Braden.

*Terms & Conditions

The total number of donations will be based on attempted blood donations between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. Power Red donations will count as 2 donations. Donors who receive this invitation and meet the criteria will receive an email with instructions on how to redeem their recognition gift in January 2022. Email addresses are required in order to receive gift redemption information. Prizes are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.