Prompt engineering is not merely about generating text; it is about cognitive extension. It allows a physician to scale their ability to communicate, educate, and analyze data. The barrier to entry is low, but the ceiling for mastery is high. Those who invest in learning the syntax of this new intelligence will find themselves with a powerful partner in practice. Those who ignore it may find themselves increasingly burdened by the administrative weight that their AI-litera

Crystalloids = speed Colloids = staying power Blood = survival You cannot hydrate your way out of anaemia. You cannot “volume expand” your way out of coagulopathy. You need blood when the body needs oxygen, clotting, and long-term support.

Cancer is not just a disease. It is exhaustion—in the body, in the family, in the healthcare system, and silently, in the blood bank that supports every treatment step. People often focus only on chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or immunotherapy. But behind the scenes, blood transfusion holds up the entire treatment.

Apheresis = Specialized donation where only platelets/plasma are collected. RDP = Pooled platelets from multiple donors. SDP = Platelets from one donor via apheresis. SDP is safer and cleaner, but costs more. RDP is quicker and cheaper, but carries higher exposure risk. Both save lives — the right choice depends on the patient’s condition, not myths.

Most people think: 👉 “O negative blood can be given to anyone.” Sounds simple. Feels heroic. But here’s the truth — it’s not that simple. I’ve seen it firsthand in the blood centre. We call O negative the “universal donor” blood because it lacks A, B, and Rh antigens — the main flags our immune system looks for. So when a patient’s blood group is unknown, especially in emergencies, we grab O negative. It saves lives.

Artificial blood might one day become one of medicine’s greatest breakthroughs. But until then, you — the everyday donor, the curious learner, the compassionate human — remain the real lifeline. Because every drop counts. And every idea brings us one step closer to a world where no one runs out of time.

The most well-known group is the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who strictly avoid transfusions of whole blood and its primary components — red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma. Their belief comes from biblical passages such as Acts 15:28-29, which they interpret as a command from God to “abstain from blood.”

“If I give my blood for free, why are hospitals charging patients for it? Are they secretly selling it for profit?” Humans naturally look for fairness. If you gave something free, and someone else is being charged, it feels unfair. But fairness also means the patient should get safe, high-quality blood. And that requires money. Think of it as a partnership: You give freely. Hospitals safeguard and deliver. Patients receive safely. Everyone plays a role.

Blood letting is one of the oldest medical practices known to humankind. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used it. For thousands of years, people believed that most diseases were caused by “bad blood” or an imbalance of the body’s four humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile). Which, of course was wrong.

Short story in Blood Donation Theme: Ink in the Veins Prize winner at TRANSCON 2025 Golden Jubilee Conference, Delhi, organised by the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohematology (ISBTI)

Blood donation systems around the world share one mission: to provide safe blood to those in need. The details may differ – from collected volume and donation frequency to testing protocols and regulations – but donors everywhere make a difference. By understanding global variations, you can give confidently and safely, knowing you’re contributing to a world of health and hope.

blood donation is not just an act of kindness; it's a step towards maintaining your own health as well. So gather the courage, roll up your sleeves, and make a difference today. By donating blood, you are embarking on a healthier path for yourself while contributing to the tremendously impactful act of saving lives.

Donating blood for the first time is a remarkable act of community and care. By preparing well and following these simple steps, you ensured a positive experience for yourself and maximized the safety and impact of your precious gift. The need for blood is constant. You stepped up. Thank you for being a real-life hero!

Most hospitals only screen Rh-negative mothers for blood antibodies. But here’s the shocking truth: over 400 blood group antigens exist, and any mismatch can trigger a life-threatening condition called Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN). Let’s break down why universal IAT testing is a game-changer.

The IAT is a blood test that detects harmful antibodies in the mother's blood that could attack the baby's red blood cells. While commonly associated with Rh (D) incompatibility, it also screens for other dangerous antibodies that many women don't know they carry.

War exposes our fragility — but also our ingenuity. The quest to move blood faster, store it longer, and share it freely has turned battlefields into labs of hope. Yet as conflicts multiply, your awareness and action matter: give blood, back policies that protect it, and remember — in the economy of war, blood is the currency of survival.

Blood transfusions save millions of lives every year, but have you ever wondered how donated blood is stored and preserved? From battlefield innovations to cutting-edge cryopreservation, the science of blood banking has undergone remarkable advancements.

Blood irradiation is a life-saving but underrated procedure that protects the most vulnerable patients. While cost and infrastructure remain barriers in India, raising awareness can drive change.

Leucoreduction is a vital but often unseen step in transfusion medicine. By removing white blood cells, we prevent complications, protect vulnerable patients, and make transfusions safer. Whether you’re a patient, donor, or simply curious about medical science, understanding this process highlights how modern medicine continuously evolves to save lives—one filtered drop at a time.

Someone, somewhere, is fighting for their life right now, hoping that your blood is waiting for them in the blood bank. Don’t wait for a call. Don’t wait for an emergency. Donate today—because tomorrow might be too late.