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    Spring Survey 2012 Results

    Saving Lives with Bone Marrow Transplants

    PROGRAM DETAILS:

    Bone marrow transplantation or BMT has successfully been treating patients diagnosed with leukemia, aplastic anemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, immune deficiency disorders and some solid tumors such as breast and ovarian cancer. On this episode of Patient Power, we explore how bone marrow transplants are changing the lives of cancer patients with renowned expert Dr. Leona Holmberg. Dr. Holmberg is a medical oncologist at the

    On the episode of Patient Power, sponsored by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) who specializes in BMT and treats patients with lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and ovarian cancer. You'll also hear from three patients who underwent a BMT – all with very different stories to tell.

    The program begins with Karen Koltonow who in November of 2003 felt fatigued. Karen was admitted to the hospital for panocytopenia and nuetropenia and was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) (SLL). Within weeks of her initial of treatment, Karen developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia and was treated with steroids. The hemolytic anemia progressed to pure red cell aplasia and then all morphed into myelodysplastic syndrome putting Karen on the road to a bone marrow transplant. For 8-year multiple myeloma survivor John Ricco, things were quite different. John was initially diagnosed in June 2000 and went into three months of chemotherapy, followed by pheresis, high dose chemo, radiation and then an autologous stem cell transplant in late 2000. He did have some side effects with diabetes and blood clots, but this was treated and disappeared when his treatment ended. You can view John’s Powerful Patient video here.

    For our third patient joining the program, an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosis changed her life. Joyce Miner was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2001 and later underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. Her treatment process took 4 months, where she completed three rounds of a chemo recipe until her transplant. It wasn’t until a year after her diagnosis that Joyce was finally felt back to normal and could return to her regular activities, but Joyce is most grateful to her donor, whom she believes saved her life .

    Listen to three fascinating stories of cancer survivors who benefited from a bone marrow transplant and learn what BMT is doing for autoimmune conditions like lupus and multiple sclerosis. If you or someone you know is looking for information on BMT, this program offers an array of perspectives and resources sure to increase your knowledge of BMT and the difference it is making for cancer and autoimmune conditions today.

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    EXPERTS & GUESTS:
    Leona Holmberg, M.D., Ph.D. Leona Holmberg, M.D., Ph.D.
    Medical oncologist, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
    Dr. Holmberg is a medical oncologist who treats patients for lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and ovarian cancer. Dr. Holmberg's clinical expertise include, immunotherapy, and transplantation immunology. She received her medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. more >

    Karen Koltonow,
    Diagnosed with CLL
    Karen Koltonow is a painter ceramic artist living in the bay area. In November of 2003, feeling very fatigued, she was admitted to the hospital for panocytopenia and nuetropenia and was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma. Within weeks of her initial of treatment with Fludarabine and Rituxin, she developed auto-immune hemolytic anemia and was treated with steroids. The... more >

    John Ricco,
    Author and 8-year multiple myeloma survivor
    John is an eight year multiple myeloma survivor. He was initially diagnosed in June 2000 and went into three months of chemotherapy, followed by pheresis, high dose chem, radiation and then an autologous stem cell transplant in late 2000. He did have some side effects with diabetes and blood clots, which were treated and disappeared when treatment ended. All of... more >

    Joyce Miner,
    Diagnosed with ALL
    Joyce was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2001 and later underwent a life saving bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. Her treatment process took 4 months, where she completed three rounds of a chemo recipe until her transplant. It wasn’t until a year after her diagnosis that Joyce was finally felt back to normal and could return... more >

    TRANSCRIPT:

    1. Introduction LISTEN
    2. Joyce Miner’s Story LISTEN
    3. Evidence-Based Transplants LISTEN
    4. Karen’s Story LISTEN
    5. John's Story LISTEN

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