BUFFALO, NY – More than 100 Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) blood and marrow transplant (BMT) patients and family members celebrated second chances and remember loved ones at the annual BMT All Stars Day, Saturday, October 7, from 1 - 4 pm in the Gaylord-Cary Meeting Room, Research Studies Center, RPCI, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY.

BMT recipients and their families had an opportunity to meet and share experiences with each other and visit with RPCI faculty and staff. The event also celebrated the memory and courage of those who lost their fight against cancer.

Festivities included music from DJ’s Andrea & John; a visit by clowns from Clowns of WNY/Buffalo Clown Alley; magic by magicians from the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Gene Gordon Ring 12; children’s activities; a theme tray auction; and tie-dying t-shirts. Refreshments were provided.

Thanks to advances in technology and medical research, BMT is used to treat a variety of cancers, including certain leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma and some solid tumors, as well as non-malignant diseases, such as aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

RPCI offers both autologous (self-donated) and allogeneic (from a related or unrelated donor) transplantation of peripheral blood, bone marrow or cord blood. The procedure involves eradicating the cells in the patient’s bone marrow with intensive chemotherapy or radiation, followed by a “rescue” in which the marrow or stem cells are replaced. A transplant allows physicians to replace diseased or damaged bone marrow after treatment, increasing the likelihood of a cure, or at least prolonging survival.

“The complexity and intensity of a blood or marrow transplant and the unique complications that may occur mean patients must deal with extremely difficult decisions,” said Philip McCarthy, MD, Director of Roswell’s BMT Program. “I continue to be inspired by the courage of these patients and their families, who are the true heroes and all-stars of this celebration.”

Roswell Park is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy and certified by the National Marrow Donor Program as a Transplant Center as well as a Blood and Marrow Collection Center. Patients who are in need of blood or marrow transplants for a variety of diseases, but who do not have suitable related donors, no longer have to leave Upstate New York for treatment. RPCI has access to over six million potential donors through national and international registries, and serves as a regional referral center for blood and marrow collection.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, or call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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