Avi beats cancer
In 1995, Children's Memorial Hospital became one of the first pediatric hospitals to conduct stem cell transplants on an outpatient basis. Outpatient care was once thought incompatible and risky for stem cell transplant patients whose immune systems have been highly compromised by chemotherapy. But according to Morris Kletzel, MD , director of Children's Memorial's Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Program, recovery at home is actually safer for children because they are exposed to fewer germs and bacteria.
Today, Children's Memorial performs outpatient transplants consistently to treat specific kinds of cancers, and many other pediatric facilities have followed suit. With its innovative therapies, Children's Memorial has become the region's leading provider of care to children with neuroblastoma .
This was one of the reasons Elaine and Raymond chose to have their three-year-old son, Avi, treated at Children's Memorial when he was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. "We felt there was safety in numbers," says attorney Raymond. "And Children's had treated the most children with neuroblastoma."
The Stem Cell Ambulatory Unit on the fourth floor – devoted exclusively to stem cell transplant patients and their families – is allowing the hospital to conduct more of these innovative procedures and providing greater convenience and comfort to patients and families. While Avi's transplants were performed prior to the opening of the new unit, his father, Raymond says, “We wish there had been a stem cell unit when we were going through the transplant procedure.” Prior to the completion of the new unit, Avi's mother had to take her son to several different departments of the hospital to prepare for his transplant, including many visits to a location several blocks away from the main hospital to have his stem cells harvested.
Consolidating all stem cell transplant care in Children's Stem Cell Ambulatory Unit provides patients and families with unprecedented continuity of care during the extensive pre- and post-transplant procedures. The nurses who staff the unit are specially trained and dedicated to transplant patients and their needs. “Having the right equipment on hand and having staff that understands the urgency of certain procedures for stem cell patients is critical to the coordination of care,” says Elaine, chief financial officer of a local child advocacy organization, “and that brings great peace of mind.”
The ambulatory unit features four private rooms that are equipped with special filtration system to reduce germs and bacteria from the air. It is a state-of-the-art facility that includes high-level monitoring and electronic charting.
The ambulatory unit is particularly important to stem cell patients and families during the acute stage of recovery, defined as the 100 days following transplant. During this critical period, stem cell patients wait for their new cells to engraft or be accepted by their body, and for their immune systems to rebuild. Avi made frequent visits to the ambulatory unit throughout the acute stage of his recovery to monitor his engraftment, watch his white blood cell count return and prepare for radiation, the final course in his treatment protocol.
Children's Memorial Hospital seeks philanthropic funding to enhance its programs and services. As a proud partner of the Children's Miracle Network (CMN), all funds raised in the Chicago area through CMN also benefit Children's Memorial. To find out how your support can help the hospital better serve children and families, please contact the Children's Memorial Foundation at 773.880.4237 or Foundation@childrensmemorial.org.