Roger Williams Celebrates 30 Years of BMT Services and Cancer Survivorship Month
Close to 100 cancer survivors, family members and friends, providers and hospital staff gathered recently at Roger Williams Medical Center to celebrate National Cancer Survivor Month, their cancer care journey, and mark the 30th anniversary of the Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program (BMT).
The program was highlighted by remarks from US Senator Jack Reed, where it was a bit of a homecoming given he was on hand in 1994 to help open the BMT unit at Roger Williams.
“You know “Hope” is the motto of our state, and for over 30 years, BMT has been bringing hope to cancer patients throughout our state”, said Reed. “Over the last decade, we have seen incredible advancements in cancer research. Survivorship rates are improving and quality of life improving. That’s why we can’t let our foot off the pedal. We need to keep investing in biomedical research and clinical trials. We need to redouble our efforts, and I can think of no better place to look for inspiration than the many individuals and families here who have fought for their lives. You are all battle tested…and we need to match that strength.”
But it was those very survivors who really "stole the show" by sharing some of their very personal and emotional experiences, praising doctors and staff, as well as family and friends who have supported their treatment, including their highs and lows along the way.
Remarks were also delivered by Dr. Ritesh Rathore, Medical Director of the Cancer Center, and Dr. Todd Roberts, Director of the BMT program. Wilson Villamar, Chaplain, delivered the opening prayer.
“Most people know Senator Reed as a leader on the Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committee”, commented Dr. Rathore, adding, “but not everyone is familiar with his leadership in authoring major bills on healthcare and his work in supporting health care access, especially in RI. We would like to recognize him as a true champion for healthcare in RI.”
He went on to say, “Today, we want to thank all our patients for trusting us to take care of them in the most difficult and trying phase of their lives. We will strive continuously to provide the best care and support and partner with you during your therapy and your recovery.”
The BMT Program at Roger Williams is the only full-service program of its kind in Southern New England. We offer the gamut of services from auto transplants, allogeneic transplants, unrelated transplants, cord blood transplants, reduced intensity transplants, and half-matched transplants. We also offer the latest in immunotherapy with CAR-T cell therapy for blood cancers with four types of different CAR-T products available.
