AUSTIN--There's new hope for Central Texans with blood cancer disorders. A newly formed health care collaboration means they can finally get the treatment they need right here in Austin.
When we first introduced you to Nancy Guerra last month, she was waiting for a blood and marrow transplant. For seven years she suffered with multiple myeloma – a cancer of the blood. Previously patients like her had to go to Dallas, Houston or San Antonio for treatment and the lengthy recovery period.
"It looked like the only option for me was to go to San Antonio, but I don't have any family support," said Guerra. "I don't have friends that could take off 4-6 weeks to come with me, so it looked like I wasn't going to be able to have the transplant."
She did have that transplant – but here in Austin. She's the first patient of new CancerCare clinic at St. David's South Austin Medical Center. Thursday it officially opened its doors. The center is a collaboration of St. David's Healthcare, the Sarah Cannon Cancer Network, the Texas Transplant Institute and Texas Oncology.
"I like to tell people oncology is a whole lot brighter than what it used to be," said Laurence Tokaz, M.D., with Texas Oncology and Medical Director for the Blood Cancer Center.
Health experts say there are about 200 patients a year in Central Texas who need a blood and marrow transplant but like Guerra simply did not have access.
"There's something that can be done that keeps people from living in Houston, San Antonio or Dallas for three months out of their life along with their family then I think that's the important facet," said Tokaz.
"These services are really needed here in Austin, and now we can provide them," said Carlos Bachier, M.D., the Medical Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at St. David's South Austin Medical Center.
Guerra – now in remission -- says for the first time since being diagnosed -- she finally is able to look forward to life beyond cancer.
"The average lifespan was 2-3 years when I was diagnosed," she said. "I was already 6-years out because of the first transplant and I'm counting on another 10-15 years from this one."
Doctors here predict about 30 - 40 patients will receive transplants in the first year.
Click on this link for more information on the CancerCare Center:
