The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 53 COVID patients today, up from 48 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 29 with the active virus today, 26 yesterday
- 5 in ICU, 5 yesterday
- 3 on ventilators, 2 yesterday
- 24 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 22 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
CiCi Rojas, B-M-T patient, cancer survivor, president of Tico Productions
- Diagnosed with lymphoma in 2017
- Relapsed several times
- Had a bone marrow transplant, using bone marrow from her son
- It was a long process to heal, but feels better than ever today
- Encourages members of the Latino community to sign up for the world-wide bone marrow donor registry. Latinos are one of the most under-represented ethnic groups in the registry.
Doctor Joseph McGuirk, Division Director of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Early detection is crucial for all cancer, especially blood-related cancers
- Explained why direct family members are best for a bone marrow transplant match. Describe how bone marrow registry works to help those without potential doners in their family.
- Survival rates are very high for those who undergo a bone marrow transplant. It’s considered the gold standard treatment with the highest cure rate.
- Car-T therapy, in which a patient’s own T-cells are removed, reengineered to fight the cancer and put back into the patient, is becoming one of the best treatments and cures for many, but not all, blood cancers.
Mindy Allen, blood marrow donor coordinator
- Demonstrated the simple process of a cheek swab for a potential donor
- Currently 40 million donors from all over the world are in the registry
- There is no cost to the donor if matched with a recipient, whose insurance covers all donor expenses
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Overall COVID number trend is lower, but fluctuating at health system
- New study from Indiana University confirms pregnant women who have had both initial COVID vaccine doses and then a booster are well protected against the virus
- Despite new variants, current vaccines are effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalization
Monday, October 3 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. A popular Kansas City news personality shares her breast cancer journey. Cynthia Newsome is in a new trial that’s helping her live with cancer. She’ll share her inspiring message to other women and those who support them.
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