by Michelle Limpe

As the largest non-profit humanitarian international organization, the American Red Cross unites volunteers globally in a common mission of service to others — a mission that blood donor Frank Riley strongly believes in. From his time serving in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps to serving his communities as a pastor, Frank has made it a priority to live out the Red Cross mission in every aspect of his life.

Frank has been a consistent blood donor since 2008 after learning that he has cytomegalovirus (CMV) negative blood, a rare blood type needed by premature babies and children with weakened immune systems. He was informed of his rare blood type during his first donation at a drive hosted by the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

“I didn’t know about my blood type before,” he said. “When I got my donation card back, they said you’re CMV negative and that means my blood can help premature babies and kids who are fighting cancer. I realized that while my A+ blood was common, having CMV negative blood made me a part of less than 15% of the population.”

CMV is a very contagious, flu-like virus that can be deadly for babies and those who are immunocompromised. For babies with serious cases of CMV, some of the symptoms include premature birth, low birthweight and developmental conditions. While most adults who are infected with CMV have mild to no symptoms, they end up with CMV positive blood after their bodies develop the antibodies against the virus.

Those who have never caught CMV, like Frank, are considered to have CMV negative blood. Babies who need blood transfusions should only receive CMV negative blood, since their immune systems are not strong enough to fight the virus.

“I donated for the first time because I heard of a blood shortage at the children’s hospital,” Frank said. “Of course, I was kicking myself afterwards that I hadn’t started much earlier in my life, especially having CMV negative blood, but hey we start where we are.”

Since then, Frank has continued to donate blood wherever his life has taken him. While he was serving as a pastor of Grace Hill Church in Morgan Hill, Frank would donate blood regularly through Red Cross blood drives.

Recently, he moved to Minnesota and became the new pastor of Excelsior Covenant Church. In his new community, it is even easier for Frank to donate since the Red Cross has been running their blood drives at his church.

“As I give blood, I realize that I’m giving blood to people that I love in my community and people I haven’t met yet. It could be that today my blood is needed for somebody that I desperately care about,” Frank said. “As a Christian, which I am, there’s a reminder for me that centuries ago someone gave His blood for me. Keeping with my own Christian faith, I too have the ability to give blood for others. It doesn’t have the same impact, yet it is lifesaving.”

During his 18 years serving in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps, Frank experienced firsthand the lifesaving potential of blood donations. He has been deployed a few times internationally serving marines and sailors.

Upon reflecting on his deployment, he recalled a particular memory in Ghanzi, Afghanistan that impacted his perception of donating blood.

“A terribly wounded service member was coming in and there was a need for blood. Throughout the operating base, the call went out over loudspeakers and everywhere for people with a certain type of blood. I watched as people ran from different parts of the base to get there ahead of the helicopter evacuation. It was desperate. It was urgent. It was in the moment. That was somebody that was coming in now,” Frank said. “I realized that while I might be more distant from it in my donations here, it is no less imminent for the family and loved ones that are hoping. The urgency is always there.”

As a non-combatant in the military, Frank’s military identification carried the Red Cross symbol on it. He highlighted that the Red Cross was very active throughout the combat area as a resource.

“There are these emotional ties. Part of that impact was coming back and continuing that partnership. In some ways, I was even carrying the symbol of the Red Cross with me wherever I went, even on my uniform, as I struggled to serve the country,” he said.

As a proud representative of the Red Cross, Frank continues to advocate to his family, friends and congregation on the importance of donating blood.

Frank affirmed his dedication to partnering with the Red Cross to continue providing blood drives at his church. He also shares images of himself donating on his social media pages as a way of encouraging others.

“It’s important, and I don’t hesitate to talk to people about it. My encouragement would be to understand this: You’re potentially about to save a life. You’re about to make a difference in ways that most people never do,” he said. “My encouragement to you is to overcome fear, to overcome anxiety, take a deep breath and try and give at least once. A lot of times, it’s that first barrier that keeps us from giving.”

According to Frank, everyone who plays a role in the blood donation process is joined by their belief and commitment to the Red Cross mission. He calls on more people to join the mission and share their gifts with those in need. “As you come to a drive, the volunteers andthe phlebotomists are there taking your blood and welcoming you warmly. You are in a room where every person is dedicated to saving other lives. How many rooms do you enter where all of you are part of that?” he said. “You might be a stranger giving blood across from me, but we’re in mission together. You might be the one checking me in and taking my blood, but we’re in mission together. Even if you’re the person offering cookies, we’re in mission together. Every person is dedicated to saving lives, and that’s a rare thing.”

Learn more about the importance and need for CMV negative blood here and make your appointment to donate blood like Frank here: redcrossblood.org.