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Patient Success Stories

Bone Marrow Transplantation

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC’s Bone Marrow Transplant program has been performing blood and marrow transplants since 1991. Our specialists have helped countless children whose lives were affected by cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease.

Meet some of our patients whose lives have been improved by their experiences at Children’s Hospital.

Ryder McDermott, 4, acute myeloid leukemia		Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplant Helps Toddler A risky cord blood stem cell transplant gave Ryder McDermott, a resilient little boy fighting leukemia, a chance for a healthy childhood.

Cassidy Yeager, 19, Ewing’s sarcoma		Bone Marrow Transplant Doesn’t Slow Down Teen Runner Cassidy Yeager was a healthy, 19-year-old competitive runner when she was diagnosed with bone cancer.

Cara Feldman, 13, acute myelogenous leukemia		Mini Transplant, Big Success After going to the hospital with flu-like symptoms, 13-year-old Cara Feldman was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia after doctors noticed that 75 percent of her bone marrow had been destroyed.

Emily Celedonia, 6, acute myeloid leukemia		Sister Gives Second Chance Emily Celedonia now lives the joys and struggles of an average teen, thanks to a bone marrow donation from her 4-year-old sister.

Austin Jones, 5, sickle cell disease		Boy’s Big Brother Donates Bone Marrow to Save His Life Austin Jones was diagnosed with sickle cell disease shortly after birth. His only chance for a normal life was a bone marrow transplant.

Joshua Marshall, 7, severe combined immunodeficiency		Unknown Cord Blood Donor Gives Boy New Lease on Life Joshua Marshall has an anonymous cord blood donor to thank for giving him a mostly functional immune system. After a successful cord blood transplant, he is enjoying life just being a kid.

Revolutionary Cord Blood Transplantation a Success for 2-Year-Old Hannah Hannum was just 2 years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia. After three years of treatment, including a revolutionary cord blood transplant, Hannah is doing remarkably well.

New Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplant for Neuroblastoma Casey Neff was diagnosed with neuroblastoma shortly before her first birthday. A new treatment and resources at Children’s Hospital helped Casey and her family get through her illness successfully.