Bone Marrow Transplantation at Methodist Children’s Hospital Offers Life-Saving Option for Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

WHAT: On October 13, Carol Mulumba will celebrate her first full year free from sickle cell anemia. Now 8 years old, Carol had a bone marrow transplant at Methodist Children’s Hospital one year ago. Bone marrow donated by one of her brothers replaced Carol’s bone marrow and is now producing normal red blood cells. “Carol is living because of the work of Dr. Michael Grimley and the staff at the hospital,” said Lukiah Mulumba, Carol’s mother. Carol was experiencing severe pain that required hospitalization. Treatment options included continued pain management through blood transfusions, which in many sickle cell patients can lead to iron overload and long-term health implications including shorter life expectancy. To say thanks and to help other families become aware of bone marrow transplantation as a treatment option for severe cases of sickle cell anemia, the family is throwing a surprise party for Dr. Grimley, hematologist and oncologist and Carol’s physician, and his staff.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes pain, organ damage and early death. Of the approximately 80,000 individuals with sickle cell anemia in the United States, most are of African descent. Persons with the disease have abnormal hemoglobin in their red blood cells. The hemoglobin molecules cluster together after releasing oxygen, causing the red blood cells to become rigid and curved like a sickle. The sickle-shaped cells get trapped in the blood stream and can no longer deliver oxygen to organs and tissues. Some are destroyed by the liver or spleen. The body is unable to produce new red blood cells rapidly enough to replace the trapped or destroyed cells. As a result, organs and tissues do not receive sufficient oxygen. Frequent episodes of pain are the most common symptoms of sickle cell anemia, usually in the stomach, arms, legs, hands or feet. Feeling tired and difficulty fighting infections also are among the common symptoms.

The Children’s Cancer and Blood Center of the Methodist Children’s Hospital is among the busiest pediatric blood and marrow stem cell transplant programs in the U.S.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 13, from noon to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Texas Neurosciences Institute, 7700 Floyd Curl in the South Texas Medical Center. To keep the party a surprise, please meet outside the elevators on the fifth floor.

VISUALS:

• Grateful Family Thanks Staff. At the surprise party, Carol will play the violin and her family will bring refreshments to share with Dr. Grimley and his staff.
• A Surprise Thank You. Mrs. Mulumba has worked hard to keep plans for the party secret to add an element of surprise to the festivities.
• Sickle Cell Visuals. Visuals of normal red blood cells and abnormal, sickled red blood cells are available on the Web site of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, www.nhlbi.nih.gov.