DETROIT (Jan. 9, 2023) – A first-time blood donor is commending the American Red Cross for detecting an abnormality in her blood, a finding that led to the donor being diagnosed with early-stage leukemia.

Merrissa Hoffman of Rochester Hills said her prognosis for living a “normal life and lifespan” is excellent, thanks to the Red Cross alerting her to the lab finding and early medical intervention.

The Red Cross notified Hoffman by letter within days of her giving blood in August. The letter, signed by Barry Siegfried, M.D., medical director of the Red Cross Michigan Region, said the abnormality indicated an increased white cell blood count and recommended Hoffman discuss the finding with her doctor.

“I’m extremely thankful and grateful to the Red Cross,” Hoffman said. “They are a huge character in my life through this journey. Had I not donated, had I not received that letter and had they not run those tests, the worst could have happened. That didn’t happen so it’s hard for me to say what would have happened, but I just don’t think it would have been good.”

For months leading up to giving blood, Hoffman said she felt fatigued, didn’t sleep well and endured recurrent headaches – symptoms she attributed to stress. Then she started to see white spots in her vision. “Had I not received that letter, I would have moved forward without taking any action at all,” she said.

Hoffman saw her doctor the first week of September and had a complete blood count test three days in a row. Each time, the result came back with a higher white cell blood count. Hoffman was then admitted to the hospital and underwent a bone marrow biopsy. The biopsy confirmed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which occurs in about one person in 526, according to the American Cancer Society. The average age at diagnosis for CML is about 64 years.

Hoffman is being treated with a chemotherapy pill she takes daily. Since her treatment began, Hoffmann’s white blood cell counts have dropped to their normal range and she’s feeling better.

“I will live with leukemia for the rest of my life,” said Hoffman, 32, who works as a paralegal and legal assistant. “But the doctors have said that the majority of people they’ve treated respond well for years and years. By that, they mean I could live a generally normal life and lifespan with this treatment.”

Hoffman’s blood samples were tested in a state-of-the-art testing laboratory where trained technicians perform more than 12 different tests on samples from each and every unit of donated blood. Each unit of blood is screened for infectious diseases such as HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C, as well as for unexpected antibodies that might cause a transfusion reaction in some people.

A sample of Hoffman’s blood was flagged during testing because it showed an “abnormally large buffy coat,” Dr. Siegfried said.

When a tube of blood is centrifuged before testing, it separates the various blood components. At the top of the tube is plasma and at the bottom are red blood cells. In the middle is a thin layer containing white blood cells and platelets called the buffy coat. An unusually thick buffy coat is considered abnormal, Dr. Siegfried said. 

Dr. Siegfried said it is unusual that an abnormally thick buffy coat turns up in a blood sample during testing. He added that this was only the second time in his 20-year Red Cross career that a donor told him that an abnormally thick buffy coat lab finding led to a leukemia diagnosis.

“Blood donation is for the purpose of providing blood products for people who need them,” Dr. Siegfried said. “It also serves as a form of health screening. This is a small example of that. Another form of screening is infectious disease testing. If a test result is positive, the donation will be discarded and the presenting donor will be notified.”  

However, Dr. Siegfried advises if someone thinks they might have an infectious disease to not give blood to get tested. Their blood testing can be done through their doctor or a health clinic.

Because of her health condition, Hoffman is ineligible to donate blood. However, she hopes her story will inspire others to donate.

“It’s worth it and I’m willing to help them,” she said. “I’d be happy to sit with them while they give their donation. It’s lovely to have someone there with you. Even with my story, I was able to help myself by trying to help others. Please make the time.”

January is National Blood Donor Month, highlighting the need for and importance of blood donations. The recent winter storm caused more than 300 blood drives to be cancelled across the country. This resulted in about 9,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. To prevent a potential winter shortage, people are encouraged to roll up a sleeve to help those in need. Blood donations help ensure new moms, premature babies, cancer patients and accident victims have access to safe, lifesaving blood.

To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, following the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use Blood Donor App.

MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz | david.olejarz@redcross.org | 313-303-0606

About the American Red Cross 
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.