New Blood: 'The blood running in my veins is not only rare but can also save the lives of newborn babies


I have always been proud to donate blood. My blood is 'B negative' which is quite rare and I recently learned that my blood is even more valuable to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) as it can be given to newborn babies.

When I went to donate blood last time, the lady taking the donation asked me while putting a needle in my arm, "It must feel good that you are Neo."

Seeing the surprise on my face, he pointed to the blood bottle in which my blood was to be collected, which had a blue tag on it and the words 'New' in big letters on it.

He explained to me that 'your blood is very special, it can help small patients who need blood.

Neo means 'New Natal' meaning newborn or newly born. This is the term used for babies less than 28 days old.

While my blood was being collected, I was quickly told how the blood is tested after donation. I found that some patients, including newborns, require special blood.

I wanted to know more about this so I spoke to Dr Andy Charlton, a consultant in NHS Blood and Transplant.

They told me that all donated blood is tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, C and E as well as Syphilis.

When this step is complete, some samples are further tested to make sure they are suitable for patients who need a certain type of blood.

For example, some people are allergic to proteins in the blood, so the proteins are 'cleaned' from the blood.

Common virus

Blood that is to be administered to newborns, or to immunocompromised patients, or to be given to pregnant women or to be transfused in utero to the fetus may contain cytomegalovirus or CM. V is screened.

This is a type of herpes virus and is very common and usually not harmful, but can cause flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. But for some people it becomes dangerous.

In children, it can cause seizures, vision and hearing problems, as well as liver and spleen damage. In rare cases it can be fatal.

Estimates vary, but it is believed that 50 to 80 percent of people in the UK have CMV.
But because only two per cent of people donate blood in the UK it is vital to find donors who are not infected with the virus.

The last time I donated blood, it was tested and found that my blood did not contain antibodies to CMV, meaning that I had not been exposed to the virus, so I was given a special 'new' tag. given.

Every time I donate blood, it will be tested to see if I have the virus.

If I ever get the virus, the immunity will always be in my white blood cells and my blood will not be able to be given to those particularly vulnerable patients.
I am one of 10,916 donors in England who have CMV-free B-negative blood type. Last year, hospitals requested 153,801 bottles of CMV-free blood.

Dr Charlton says the demand for 'specialty blood' is increasing so people should come forward to donate blood.

He says that we are less than grateful to the donors. Every blood donation is a gift of life and can save more than one life.

Blood that saves lives

No one understands the importance of donating blood more than Hale Bain. Her daughter Velo's life was saved soon after birth thanks to a CMV-free blood transfusion

During the pregnancy, Haley was diagnosed with 'vasa previa', a dangerous condition in which the esophagus becomes obstructed during the birth process.

The veins are in danger of rupturing at any time and since they obstruct the passage of the baby through the uterus, a natural birth is impossible.

At 32 weeks Hayley was admitted to the hospital for observation and at 35 weeks a caesarean section was decided.

During the operation Velo's veins burst and he bled so much that his life was threatened.

Hayley remembers that there was chaos and people running around.

She said that when Velu was born, I was waiting for her cry. It was the best time of my life. She was not breathing. The neonatal team provided medical support to her. I remember about 10 minutes later I heard a soft cry.'

A nurse quickly took a picture to show Haley, after which Velo was taken to the intensive care unit.

"All I remember was how red it was and how swollen it was," she says.

Hayley held Velo for the first time 12 hours later.

Velo is now four years old and Hayley is very grateful for the treatment she received.

"She was in the intensive care unit for five days, but there was no permanent damage from the blood transfusion," Haley says.

She wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the kindness of a stranger. Someone decided to donate blood somewhere and Velo is here today because of them.'

A few days later I received the text message I was waiting for that my blood donation had reached a hospital. I smiled and wished the little soul well.