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 Cincinnati--The Jewish Hospital Stem Cell
Transplant Program will hold its second annual "Partners in Hope" patient reunion on Friday, June 1, 2001, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Sharonville
Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road. Stem cell transplant survivors will speak, along with physicians and staff. Media are encouraged to attend from
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. to hear the speakers and interview patients and physicians.
The Jewish Hospital offers the only adult stem cell transplant program in the Tristate area. More than 590 stem cell transplants have been performed since
the program began in 1989.
Stem cell transplantation is used to treat advanced stages of many types of cancer, such as leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast
cancer and multiple myeloma. Stem cells, the most immature cells found in bone marrow, grow and divide into white blood cells, red blood cells and
platelets. High doses of chemotherapy can destroy normal, healthy stem cells. During a stem cell transplant, healthy stem cells are transplanted into the
patient following chemotherapy.
There are two types of stem cell transplantation:
Autologous--The patient's stem cells are removed and frozen prior to high-dose chemotherapy. After the chemotherapy is completed, the patient's own
stem cells are thawed and transplanted back into the patient, completing the procedure.Allogeneic--After chemotherapy, stem cells from a donor are
transplanted into the patient's bone marrow. The donated stem cells can either be from a family member or from an unrelated donor found through the
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)."Since our program began in 1989, we have helped a variety of cancer patients return to a normal, everyday
life," says E. Randolph Broun, medical director. "At our second annual patient reunion, we will celebrate our survivors' valiant struggles and
also honor the patients who are no longer with us."
The primary sponsor of the event is Amgen, the world's largest independent biotechnology company. Other sponsors include Celgene, Infusion Partners and
Option Care.
The Health Alliance is an integrated health care delivery system that includes The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The
Jewish Hospital, The Fort Hamilton Hospital and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. |
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