A Lifeblood for Tiny Fighters: The Story of Steve Bryant, A Rare Blood Donor
Steve Bryant’s dedication to blood donation is remarkable. With over 100 donations under his belt, he’s deeply aware of the impact his generosity can have. But a discovery in 2020 brought a new dimension to his altruism.
A Turning Point: Donating for Tiny Lives
Steve learned that his blood type, O negative, and its unique CMV-negative status, made it invaluable for neonatal patients – newborn babies in desperate need.
“The sound of the beeps in the neonatal ward will live with me forever,” he says. “Each one was the sign of a baby fighting for its life.”
This news resonated deeply with Steve. Just a few years earlier, his own grandson, Maximus, had been born prematurely and required three blood transfusions. He vividly remembers the fear and helplessness he felt during those anxious days, hearing the constant rhythm of beeps emanating from the incubator.
“My daughter was only allowed to look into the incubator in the first few days,” Steve recalls. “She had to leave him every night. It was hard to watch.”
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Steve’s commitment to blood donation was instilled in him by his father, who never missed a session. “Having served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, the importance of donation would not have been lost on him,” says Steve. “As for me, I was frustrated at having to wait until I was 17 before I could follow suit. In those days, you just turned up to donate without an appointment. You would lay on low-level camp beds. I felt good after I donated, knowing that someone out there was going to have possibly lifesaving blood.”
O Negative: A Vital Blood Type
But Steve’s donations are even rarer. He’s among the 8% of the population with O negative blood, making it the ‘universal’ blood type; suitable for anyone in an emergency. Despite this critical role, O negative donations account for only 13% of hospital requests.
But Steve’s blood carries an extra layer of rarity: it’s CMV-negative. Unlike most adults who have been exposed to cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common but generally harmless virus, Steve’s blood free of CMV antibodies. This is crucial for newborns, whose underdeveloped immune systems cannot fight the virus.
A Gift for the Most Vulnerable
Like all donated blood, Steve’s CMV-negative blood is ‘NEO’ labelled and tested again to ensure there’s been no infection since the last donation. This care ensures that the most vulnerable patients receive the safest blood.
Today, Maximus is a healthy, happy child who plays youth rugby for Tiverton RFC – the same club where his grandfather once played. Steve faithfully gives blood there too, inspired by a profound sense of purpose.
“I was pleased to reach the 100-donation milestone, but I’m determined to keep donating,” he says. “The feeling I had finding out that my blood was helping babies in the same circumstance as Maximus is beyond words.”
Why is Steve Bryant’s blood type particularly valuable for neonatal patients?
## A Lifeblood for Tiny Fighters: An Interview with Steve Bryant
**Host**: Welcome back to the show. Today, we have a truly remarkable guest, Steve Bryant. Steve, thank you so much for joining us.
**Steve**: It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Host**: You’ve been donating blood for years, over 100 times! What initially inspired you to start donating?
**Steve**: Well, my father was a dedicated blood donor his entire life. He instilled in me the importance of giving back and helping others. He always said that donating blood was one of the most selfless acts someone could do.
**Host**: What a wonderful legacy. You recently discovered that your blood type, O negative, is particularly valuable for neonatal patients. Can you tell us about that realization?
**Steve**: It was a real turning point for me. In 2020, I learned that because my blood is also CMV-negative, it’s especially crucial for newborn babies, especially those born prematurely.
**Host**: That must have had a profound impact, especially given your own experience with your grandson, Maximus.
**Steve**: Absolutely. Maximus was born prematurely and needed three blood transfusions. Hearing those constant beeps from the incubator, seeing my daughter’s anguish, it was heartbreaking. It really brought home the importance of blood donations for such tiny fighters.
**Host**: It sounds like Maximus’ experience really strengthened your commitment to donating.
**Steve**: It did. Knowing that my blood can potentially save the lives of other premature babies like Maximus gives me an incredible sense of purpose. Those beeps will forever be etched in my memory—a constant reminder of the preciousness of life and the difference we can make through simple acts of generosity.
**Host**: Steve, your story is truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experience and for your unwavering commitment to making a difference.
**Steve**: Thank you for having me.
