Donor status changes for the better
My wife was three days overdue with the latest addition to the family when I was told my blood donor status had changed.
While she waited at reception, I was being prepped for my regular contribution. A pin prick to check my iron levels and a couple of questions to double-check my history.
“Did you know you’re a paediatric donor now?” the nurse asked. “No idea at all,” I replied.
I could see my wife from my chair, machine pumping blood from the drip inserted in my left arm.
Using my available hand, I texted my wife: “What’s a paediatric donor?”
It turns out some people can donate blood for babies because they are CMV negative, having not been exposed to the Cytomegalovirus (CMV). This is important because an infection from CMV for a low birth weight infant may be severe or even fatal. Being O- my blood can also be given to anyone.
I waited for the machine to beep, signalling the end of my donation. AndI saw my wife begin to cry.
Days later, baby Flynn arrived at last. He didn’t need a transfusion but my wife — a midwife as it happens — knows I’m doing my bit when newborns start out with the odds stacked against them.
I’ve told the other kids I have “dragon’s blood”.
With the right roll of the genetic dice and luck in life, they will also.