Page 15 - Stuart Exposure - April '23

Stuart Exposure, Page 15

Tampa GeNeral News

Tampa General Hospital’s New Bone Marrow Transplant And

Cell Therapies Unit Saved A Palm Beach County Patient’s Life

A Palm Beach County Man Was Treated At TGH Cancer contributions to the treatment of multiple myeloma patients
Institute Locations On Both Of Florida’s Coasts, Allowing and for the development of innovative T-cell therapies using
The Patient To Receive Cutting-Edge, World-Class Care bone marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes (MILs).
Without Leaving The State. “For many years, we have known of the lifesaving
As part of its commitment to bringing world-class, properties of stem cells. However, we are just beginning to
innovative cancer treatment to patients across the state of realize the power of an emerging field known as cell therapies.
Florida, the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Cancer Institute In our BMT and Cell Therapies Unit, we aim to provide these
has established an adult Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and therapies, as well as make groundbreaking contributions to
Cell Therapies Unit. The new, state-of-the-art unit specializes the field through innovative research,” said Dr. Eduardo M.
in treating patients with aggressive blood cancers, including Sotomayor, director of the TGH Cancer Institute and an
leukemias, lymphomas and multiple myeloma, among other internationally recognized pioneer in the fields of cancer
cancers. immunology and immunotherapy, along with hematologic
Mauricio Perez, a Palm Beach County resident, is battling tumors. “As we continue to build a cancer institute that is
cancer for the second time in his life. He received a BMT Just a few months after a BMT at TGH, Mauricio Perez poses at the forefront of innovative treatments for patients with
and lymphoma treatment from the TGH Cancer Institute in proudly with his children in front of the family business he complex cancers, the establishment of our state-of-the-art
October 2022. Perez was in the hospital for 10 days and was founded more than 40 years ago, Perez Brothers Moving. BMT and Cell Therapies Unit broadens the portfolio of
the first patient treated in the BMT and Cell Therapies Unit. groundbreaking and lifesaving treatment options for cancer
“They made me feel like I was the only patient there,” in the fields of multiple myeloma, BMT and cell therapies, patients in our state and beyond.”
Perez said. He headed off to TGH just 24 hours after his joined the TGH Cancer Institute to lead the new BMT and Due to the susceptibility of BMT patients to infection, the
doctor, the same oncologist who treated him 10 years ago, told Cell Therapies Unit. He previously served at Johns Hopkins new unit at the TGH Cancer Institute features extra layers of
him of the state-of-the-art treatment available at the academic Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he infection control, including HEPA filtration, air exchanges
medical center. “It was very important that I be at TGH and was the leader of the Myeloma Program, director of Cellular and water filtration. Private inpatient rooms are beautifully
all the doctors and nurses answered me right away.” Therapies Core and a member of the Cancer Immunology designed with soothing, natural color palettes and artwork and
BMT, also known as stem cell therapy (SCT), is a proven and Immunotherapy Program. have large windows with waterfront views. Secure, digital
treatment for patients with cancers of the blood for whom “Tampa General is at the forefront of the next generation smart boards in each room help with patient and family
the standard treatments have not been effective, or for those of world-class academic medical centers and that’s why I communication and small refrigerators allow for additional
with a high risk of relapsing after traditional therapies. wanted to be a part of it,” Borrello said. “Tampa General is patient nourishment. Each room also includes an exercise bike
The therapy involves taking stem cells from the bone marrying the nimbleness of the biotech world with the brain to help patients build their strength and a couch converts into
marrow or peripheral blood from a cancer patient or from a power of an academic medical setting to give physician- sleeping space for a family member to stay with the patient.
donor. The stem cells are collected in special bags and stored scientists the resources and support needed to – at a fast clip “Regardless of where they come from, TGH Cancer
in freezers specifically for that purpose. After the patient – develop groundbreaking and lifesaving therapeutic options Institute patients enjoy an improved continuity of care
receives high-dose chemotherapy, the collected stem cells are for patients with complex cancers and to provide the most through our program,” said Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg,
thawed and given to the cancer patient through an intravenous innovative and leading-edge care possible.” executive vice president of Network Development, chief
infusion (IV) to produce blood cells and to reestablish a Borrello has been involved in the field of cancer of TGH Cancer Institute and vice president of Clinical and
healthier immune system. immunology and immunotherapy since its infancy in Translational Research at TGH. Schwarzberg is a practicing
Dr. Ivan Borrello, a world-class translational investigator the 1990s. He is internationally recognized for his many medical oncologist located in Palm Beach County and is
treating Perez. “These therapies can significantly increase
the chance of recovery from blood cancers and, hopefully
soon, of patients with solid malignancies,” he added.
The unit reflects the TGH Cancer Institute’s philosophy of
bringing together a range of multidisciplinary specialties that
strongly emphasizes compassionate and personalized care,
focusing on the whole patient. In addition to physicians who
are hematology oncologists with advanced training in BMT
and immunotherapy, the team includes specialized nurse
practitioners, nurses, social workers, counselors, spiritual
services, physical and occupational therapy, dietary services
and pharmacy.
To find a cancer specialist near you, visit TGH.org/
ThePalmBeaches.

vOTer News

Are You Primary Election

Ready?

We are officially
one year away from the
Presidential Preference
Primary (PPP) which
will be held on March
19, 2024. The last day to
register to vote or change
your party affiliation for
the PPP is Feb. 20, 2024.
The Presidential
Preference Primary is
part of the presidential
nominating process for Florida’s two major political parties.
Registered voters will cast their votes for the nominee of
their choice to represent their party for president on the
General Election ballot in November 2024.
Remember, Florida is a closed primary state. This means
you must be registered with one of Florida’s major political
parties to be eligible to vote in the PPP.
If you need further information or have questions, please
contact the Elections Office at (772) 288-5637 or visit our
website at www.MartinVotes.gov.
Vicki Davis,
Martin County Supervisor of Elections