Transplant Program at Thompson Cancer Center Saves Lives
 obert Tittle and Laura Holtzclaw know they are alive today because of a bone marrow transplant.
 Tittle and Holtzclaw recently joined nearly 100 other donor recipients, their families, and medical personnel to celebrate the success of the Thompson Cancer Survival Center's Transplant Program. "I thank God everyday for this treatment and for the people at Thompson Cancer Center. Dr. Grapski and his staff are an inspiration to us all," said Ms. Holtzclaw.
What is involved in a blood cell transplant? Once the physician assesses the patient and determines that he or she is a candidate for the treatment, the patient is scheduled. Many patients do not require a hospital stay and can be scheduled on an outpatient basis.
A sample of the patient's blood is drawn and the part of the blood that produces new, healthy cells is isolated. Once these cells are collected, they are stored in liquid nitrogen. Patients are then administered high doses of chemotherapy drugs designed to kill all residual cancer cells in the body. Once the patient has received the maximum benefit of the chemotherapy, the stored cells are reinjected into the patient.
The patient is scheduled for follow-up visits in the weeks after their treatment so the physician can follow their progress.
According to Rick Grapski, MD who spearheads the center's nationally accredited program, the lives of more than 40 people have been saved during the last two years. "Our transplant program is a tremendous success, and we are delighted to offer this service to our community."
Robert Tittle of Blount County is delighted, too. "I was close to death a couple of years ago and Thompson Cancer Center gave me my life back. We are so blessed and extremely fortunate to have Thompson in our area. Had they not been here for me, I would have had to travel to Duke or Vanderbilt. And, back then, I was too sick to travel that far."
For more information regarding the stem cell program, please contact the Thompson Oncology Group at 541-1720 or the Thompson Cancer Center Resource Line at 1-888-768-TCSC.
|
