| Media Release |
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Celebrating Life and 20 years of bone marrow transplantation at The Royal Melbourne Hospital
1 February 2007
The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at The Royal Melbourne Hospital is celebrating 20 years of saving lives. To mark this milestone, Celebrating Life, a commemorative book about the unit, was launched today by Professor Jeff Szer, RMH Director of Clinical Haematology and the BMT unit.
The BMT unit is a unique and inspiring place where patients undergo extensive and long-term treatment under the care of a dedicated team of clinical and support staff, since it opened in 1986 RMH staff have performed more than 1400 bone marrow transplants.
Professor Szer says he has seen dramatic changes in bone marrow transplantation and it is the ongoing research and developments that drive him and his colleagues to continue doing what they do.
"Since the first transplant in 1986, the unit at RMH has gone from strength to strength on the back of groundbreaking clinical research and collaborations with on campus research laboratories.
"Age limits for patients to be transplanted have kept pace with and have now exceeded my own advancing age, new technologies have improved safety and allowed more patients to be offered curative therapy and more developments are to come.
"I remain excited by bone marrow transplantation and look forward to the coming years as eagerly as I did those which have gone before" Professor Szer said.
Celebrating Life gives an intimate insight into the lives of people who have been affected by bone marrow transplantation.
The book highlights that behind each patient, each family member and each staff member, there is a story to be told and shared.
Mr Ian Rochester, the recipient of the first transplant 20 years ago, remains alive and well today. His story is one of many included in Celebrating Life.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Celebrating Life, phone:
0417 350 911
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Yvonne Panek-Hudson - Bone Marrow Transplant
Coordinator, Prof Jeff Szer - Director Clinical Haemotology and BMT Service and Sandra Slatter, editor and BMT patient. |
What is a bone marrow transplant?
A bone marrow transplant is the transfer of healthy bone marrow into a patient whose bone marrow is not functioning correctly as a result of chemo or radiation therapy for cancer and or some inherited blood diseases. Healthy bone marrow for transplantation may be taken from the patient prior to chemo or radiation therapy (autograft), or from a donor (allograft). |
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Presenting at the launch were the following contributors to Celebrating Life:
Professor Jeff Szer, RMH Director of Clinical Haematology and the BMT Service
In 1984 Professor Szer returned to Australia from Seattle and was told to expect 'a very short career, if any at all,' in bone marrow transplantation, because it was considered a 'doomed form of therapy'.
Twenty years later he is a leader in BMT, which has become a mainstream therapy in haematology and oncology and, for most of the patients who undergo it, the only curative treatment available.
Today Professor Szer describes his contribution to the development of bone marrow transplantation as: "a real privilege".
Sandra Slatter, editor of Celebrating Life and BMT recipient
Since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2003, Sandra has gone from business leader to cancer patient advocate and author. She worked with staff at RMH to improve communication with BMT patients, told her story through her book, Shadows & Light: Journeying Through Cancer, compiled and edited Celebrating Life and established The Living Well Project - a mentorship program to provide emotional and social support to cancer patients.
Jen Hanrahan, carer for her husband Matt - BMT recipient
Jen's husband Matt was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2002. Jen cared for Matt throughout his treatment - at times this meant tending to his incessant vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as prying his eyes open in the morning, after they became glued shut as a result of his severe conjunctivitis - side effects from the graft versus host disease that plagued him after his transplant. Three years after Matt's BMT, Jen and Matt's son Zachary 'the light of Matt's life' was born.
Michael Orr, bone marrow donor
In 1994, Michael donated his bone marrow to his 15-year-old niece Libby, who had leukaemia. The transplant was a success and it helped develop an incredible bond between Michael and Libby. After the donation, Michael decided to remain on the Bone Marrow Donor Registry. 10 years later he received a call from the registry - a young man in his 20s was suffering a similar case to his niece, but was running out of time, Michael's bone marrow could be his last hope. The young man received Michael's bone marrow and a year later they met and now regularly keep in touch.
Bernard Nihill, BMT recipient
Bernard was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1999. After treatment he went into remission, only for the disease to return twice. Bernard has experienced surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and two bone marrow transplants during his fight against the disease. He says his life now has a new and very special meaning. | 
