{"id":660607,"date":"2025-09-20T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=660607"},"modified":"2025-09-20T19:17:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T19:17:18","slug":"veteran-in-remission-thanks-to-bloodless-stem-cell-transplant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=660607","title":{"rendered":"Veteran in remission thanks to bloodless stem cell transplant"},"content":{"rendered":"

Marine Corps Veteran Keith Cody was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, and just a few months later, he walked out of VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System<\/a> (TVHS) and caught a flight home to California after receiving a new bloodless autologous stem cell transplant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI already feel much better. They\u2019ve told me I still need more time to get my energy back, but I do feel much better already,\u201d Cody said.<\/p>\n

Understanding stem cell transplants<\/h2>\n

Stem cell transplants are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and germ cell cancers. In an autologous transplant, a patient\u2019s own stem cells are collected from the bloodstream or the bone marrow. These cells are then infused back into the patient to replace diseased bone marrow.<\/p>\n

Because of the chemotherapy that is used as part of a stem cell transplant, there is often a significant drop in blood counts, requiring blood or platelet transfusions. Cody, however, opted for a bloodless transplant, where treatments such as iron infusions are given before the transplant so that tranfusions are not needed later on.<\/p>\n

One VA collaboration across the country<\/h2>\n

Cody\u2019s journey was a testament to VA\u2019s \u201cOne VA\u201d approach. While living in California, he traveled to Tennessee to receive care at TVHS because of the unique procedure.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the bloodless autologous stem cell transplant, we don\u2019t give any red cell transfusions, platelet transfusions or plasma products. We use a set of interventions before patients come to Nashville to optimize their blood count, such as iron infusion,\u201d Dr. Bhagirathbhai Dholaria explained.<\/p>\n

A model for the future<\/h2>\n

After opening its own stem cell processing lab, TVHS became the only VA facility with a comprehensive stem cell transplant program<\/a>, housing apheresis, processing and infusion labs under one roof. Following the Seattle VA Medical Center, TVHS is just the second VA to launch a stem cell transplant program, but the first to successfully perform a bloodless procedure.<\/p>\n

In April 2025, Cody received the treatment, with measurable success. \u201cNumber one, did it achieve myeloma control? That\u2019s the whole reason we do this procedure. In this case, Mr. Cody is in complete remission one month after stem cell transplantation,\u201d Dholaria said.<\/p>\n

For Cody, the decision to travel across the country for care was made easier by the confidence and compassion of his VA team.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter talking with Dr. Dholaria, the level of confidence they had in this procedure made it easier for me to decide to make the journey. The way they conveyed it to me, I felt confident in the care I was going to get,\u201d Cody shared.<\/p>\n

Leading in advanced cancer therapies<\/h2>\n

TVHS is the only VA performing CAR T-cell therapy<\/a>, an innovative immunotherapy that helps the immune system target and attack certain blood cancers. Veterans from across the country, including Puerto Rico, are referred to Nashville for this life-saving treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cStem cell transplants are a very important part of treating some blood cancers,\u201d said Stephen Cernawksy, TVHS nurse practitioner. \u201cFor some, it\u2019s curative and others, it extends life and gives more years to enjoy family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cody encourages other Veterans to explore VA\u2019s stem cell program. \u201cThe whole care team here\u2026 they\u2019re very caring people. Everybody we met treated us like family. It\u2019s sad to leave people behind who have been so special,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

TVHS plans to build on this success, expanding its ability to offer bloodless transplants to Veterans who choose to avoid transfusions, furthering VA\u2019s commitment to personalized, innovative cancer care.<\/p>\n

\u201c[With this success], we can now help more patients who\u2014for personal reasons\u2014don\u2019t want blood or platelet transfusions. That means a bigger population we can treat and help,\u201d Cernawksy said.<\/p>\n

Watch Cody\u2019s full testimony.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n