Blood cancer patients can now access stem cell collections closer to home

COVENTRIANS with blood cancer can now access life-saving stem cell collections closer to home.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire collaborated meaning they can have cells collected locally.

NHSBT nurses from Therapeutic Apheresis Services (TAS) will travel to Coventry hospital, to provide this specialist service, avoiding the need for patients to travel to surrounding hospitals to access treatment.

Francis Townsend, 67, had her stem cells collected through the new service.

The cells were stored and then reinfused to help her bone marrow recover from the side effects of chemotherapy to treat myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

Without the stem cell treatment to help her bone marrow grow more red and white blood cells, Francis would have been at greater risk of bleeding and infections.

Francis said: “The stem cell collection was very good. They just collect them from your blood as you sit there.

“I needed them back after the intensive chemo because my own cell levels were not good.

“Now I am only on maintenance chemotherapy, and I am doing OK. I have a lot more energy now and I feel a lot better in myself.”

Teresa Baines, nursing head of therapeutic apheresis Services, said: “We have successfully established a new stem cell service at University Hospital, Coventry, from our Birmingham hub. It took hard work, determination and great collaboration from all involved.

“Patients will now receive their stem cell collection locally as our nurses treat them in Coventry.

“It is TAS’ strategy to move treatments closer to patients and this is a prime example of achieving our goals.”