(Ally Donnelly, NECN: Boston, MA) – A Boston hospital has received a grant to establish the world’s first-ever center to study orphan diseases. An orphan disease is any disease or disorder affecting less than 200,000 people in the United States. Because the disorders affect so few, researchers have a difficult time getting government or private…
Stem Cell Transplant
Prayers for Justin
From Justin’s Mom: Please continue to pray for Justin. That he will not find GVHD, and no more pain. Who is Justin?Justin Cilia is an 8 year old boy. Who underwent transplant on June 22nd. He has been sick since he was six weeks old. He has had a few very serious infections. He has…
Via University of Sydney – What place do “saviour siblings” have in paediatric transplantation: establishing the role of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with HLA typing
What place do “saviour siblings” have in paediatric transplantation: establishing the role of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with HLA typing Background: Not all children in need of a haematopoietic stem cell transplant have a suitable relative or unrelated donor available. Recently, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)…
Join the National Marrow Donor Program
I’d like to help save the lives of people who need a marrow transplant from an unrelated donor, so I’m sharing the opportunity with you. Did you know:– Every day, more than 6,000 people search the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) Registry for a life-saving donor.– Only 3 in 10 patients get the transplant that…
Understanding Embryonic Stem Cells Part 5 of 6
Conner doing well!
Coner is 220 days post transplant. The following from Conner’s Mom Blog: We’ve learned that Conner’s restrictions or precautions have essentially been lifted and as far as his immune system is concerned he has recovered from his transplant! What an incredible coincidence that Conner’s recovery has come to light during Holy week! His journey took him…
Maura & Anne Marie at Andy’s school
Maura & Anne Marie are nurses at Six West, the stem cell transplant unit at Children’s Hospital Boston. They visited Andy’s school last Tuesday March 11 to talk to his classmates about his transplant. It was a great presentation. Thank you Maura & Anne Marie! Andy feels more confident. Andy’s teacher reminded me that I’m…
6 West should have the pickle sickle
Steroids cause increased apetite for pickles. Andy used to eat a lot of pickles when he was getting steroids before, during and after transplant. Here’s something every transplant floor should have available, the Pickle Sickle Link
Teen still mending from bone marrow transplant
By DOROTHY SCHNEIDER Even before the holiday season, 13-year-old Conner Smith was feeling a little like George Bailey at the end of the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. “He had lots of friends who showed him how much they cared about him,” Conner said. “Our family and friends have been like that too.” Conner…
Katie and Christopher Trebing via ABC News
Rare Bone Marrow Disease With Only One Cure Family Uses Genetic Engineering to Save Daughter’s Life There was one way to cure Katie and allow her to live a normal life: a bone marrow transplant from a perfectly matched sibling. But Katie’s older brother Calvin was not a match. They would need to give…