Blood and Marrow Transplant, Cancer, Hematology, News, Patient Stories

Haploidentical blood marrow transplant patient reaches milestones, celebrates turning 18

On Valentine’s Day, 2020, Angel Florian received a 6-foot-tall plush rose from her boyfriend. It was a substitute for the real flowers he wanted to give her but couldn’t because her weakened immune system made it too risky. It was a year earlier, just after her 17th birthday, that Angel received a diagnosis of myelodysplastic…

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Apheresis and Photopheresis, Blood and Marrow Transplant, Cancer, Leukemia

Treating kids with cancer and doing what’s right

Esther E. Knapp, M.D., MBE, of Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is a board-certified pediatric hematologist/oncologist with specialized training in pediatric bone marrow transplantation. According to Dr. Knapp, taking on challenges was part of the appeal of entering her specialized field. “The truth is, I was impressed by doctors…

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Blood and Marrow Transplant, Brain Tumor, Cancer, Childrens Hospital Foundation, Foundation, Neurosciences

‘Super Drew’ recovered from brain surgery and is raising money to help the next kids

Drew Esposito, “Super Drew” to those who know him, spent almost half a year in the Addison Jo Blair Cancer Care Center at Norton Children’s Hospital. When the 5-year-old returned in January, it wasn’t as a patient. This time, he brought a $31,407 check to help the patients who will follow him. Drew gained his…

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Blood and Marrow Transplant, Hematology

Blood disease HLH requires fast diagnosis and treatment

Recently, ESPN reporter Edward Aschoff passed away unexpectedly on his 34th birthday after a brief illness. His fiancée disclosed that he was diagnosed with multifocal pneumonia and was being treated for a “presumed diagnosis” of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). What is HLH, and what can make it dangerous? HLH is a rare but treatable blood condition…

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