Approximately 12 years ago, in the office of Sundar Sir at NIMHANS, an ambitious dream was born: to freeze Bombay blood group units and extend their shelf life from 42 days to an impressive 10 years. This groundbreaking idea aimed to ensure that patients with rare blood types would never face a shortage of life-saving blood units.
The Journey Begins
The initial steps involved consulting from a leading company in the field. He explained that achieving this goal would require an investment of 30 lakhs and that each unit would cost 25k to freeze. Despite the high cost, the team chose to pursue a simpler approach.
Early Challenges
The first attempt to freeze blood cells with NIMHANS ended in disappointment, as all the cells were dead upon recovery. Several attempts followed, but progress was slow, and results were limited. The dream seemed distant, but the team remained undeterred.
Reigniting the Dream
Once the SBC got license to prepare frozen red blood cells, the project was revived with renewed vigour. Despite numerous setbacks, and failed attempts, the team persevered. Their dedication and hard work finally paid off on 22nd November with the successful transfusion of a recovered frozen red cell for the first time.
A Historic Milestone
This monumental achievement opens the door to saving rare blood units at SBC, ensuring that patients with rare blood types will have access to essential blood supplies when needed.
This remarkable journey highlights the power of perseverance, innovation, and dedication in overcoming challenges and achieving groundbreaking success. It is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the team to saving lives and advancing medical science.