18-02-2025
KU Cancer Center recognized for transplant that saved 1-year-old's life
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Heroic staff members and medical professionals at the are being nationally recognized for giving yet another patient — a 1-year-old child — a 'fighting chance to survive and thrive.'
The KU Cancer Center, one of the most prestigious cancer research hospitals in the nation, has been awarded the 2024 Service Award by the after its staff successfully collected donor blood stem cells within 48 hours for an infant patient — a process that typically takes weeks or months.
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'Faced with an urgent bone marrow harvest request, KU Cancer Center demonstrated professionalism that went above and beyond the ordinary,' said Jamie Margolis, Vice President, Member, Donor & Product Operations at NMDP.
'These healthcare professionals worked with speed, efficiency and determination. Their ability to remove obstacles made the path forward simpler, easier and, mostly importantly, lifesaving.'
According to the NMDP, staff were faced with a short, two-day window and many geographical challenges to retrieve the bone marrow.
The donor, who was based in Texas, wasn't able to donate locally due to Hurricane Beryl back in June 2024, leaving staff in an unprecedented situation.
The NMDP said that, due to the team's 'swift action' and 'determination,' yet another successful bone marrow collection and transfer was completed, giving the 1-year-old child another chance at life.
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'Here at KU, it's always 'patients first,'' said Dr. Leyla Shune, Associate Professor of Medicine at KU Medical Center. 'When a patient is in need of a transplant, we do everything we can to help.'
Patients suffering from blood cancers and diseases often only have a chance to survive with the help of bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants. According to the NMDP, about 70% of all patients don't have a matching donor in their families, leaving them to rely on a volunteer donor.
The generosity of the donor, the heroic efforts of transplant center physicians, the hard work of the NMDP, which facilitates and coordinates the transplants, and the courage of the recipients are all critical factors that ensure a successful procedure.
Now, the KU Cansas Center staff is being rightfully recognized as an 'exceptional' team that is capable of 'turning matches into life-saving outcomes.'
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