See how City of Hope’s bone marrow and stem cell transplant program has evolved over five decades, advancing donor access, safety, supportive care and outcomes for patients across the nation.
Afternoon Program
Press Conference
Full Transcripts
Afternoon Program Video
Speaker 1:
All right. It's live. Can you hear me? Out there. All right. Good afternoon everyone. My name is Steve Forman and here we are once again all together. We are very happy to see all of you here back on the City of Hope campus. So on behalf of City of Hope and our longtime transplant partner, Kaiser Permanente, our remarkable physicians, our beloved nurses, our inspired scientists and our institutional leadership, it remains my honor to welcome all of you in this 113th year of the City of Hope to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the City of Hope Transplant Program with our celebration of life transplant reunion.
So before we begin, I'd like to extend a special welcome to, uh, I guess the mayor of Duarte who was here with us this morning and of course for the continued support of our local state and federal partners, some of whom are here today. And speaking of public service, I think she is here. We have former Congress member Grace Napolitano who represented us and the House of Representatives for nearly 30 years. And where is Grace? And we will be celebrating her 90th birthday in December. So I believe that all of you who are here today recall the first day you set foot on this campus, frightened the lay ahead and quickly understood that the very name City of Hope permeates every part of our institution every day. I still recall the first day I came here and gazed up at the logo of a man, woman, and child.
And what I noticed was that they were all connected to each other in the sculpture. And I realized in those first moments that hope is something that we can detect with each of our senses. It's in the air that we breathe here. It's in the sounds of care throughout the wards and the clinics and it's palpable and visible in every building on campus. And when the night falls and darkness descends, you can see that the lights always burn bright in the hospital. It's a beacon in the center of our campus and as our care of you is not limited by the day, by the season, or by the year. You can feel it in the gentle touch of the hands of everyone who reaches out and embraces you with care, whether at the bedside, in the clinic, or wherever care is given under the sign of City of Hope, be it in Duarte, Irvine, Chicago, Phoenix, and Atlanta.
They ... There are indeed many people who are in those first moments extending their hands to yours. And for all of us who have chosen to work at City of Hope, it is neither accidental nor casual decision, but is deeply felt, uh, by all who for, who, who, who work here. For those of you here today and for the many people around the country who come to us for care, you, each of you are your own miracle. It is that unique combination of City of Hope Science and love that make these miracles possible. So today in the spring of this anniversary year on the eve of Mother's Day on May 10th and Nurses Week that's coming next week.
We welcome all of you, our patients, families, donors back to campus on the grounds of the City of Hope where it all began 50 years ago today, 50 years ago on May 18th, 1976. So how did all this begin? It began as a dream built on science, faith, and trust. The first reunion that I ever attended was for on patient along with this family, three doctors, a few nurses, and a cake with a single candle, a first birthday post-transplant. And as a patient taught us to say, we celebrate transplantiversaries, and that's what this is in our grand fashion today. We're actually very blessed today to have with us the family of the first person, Mushtak Shivani, who was the very first patient cured of leukemia in this program and went on to live a long life free of that disease. And his family is here today if they could stand up as we always do.
They are part of it.
So here we are 50 years later, under a tent, celebrating all of your transplant iversaries together. For you as it was for Rodrigo Nunez, who is now 48 years after transplant and Donde Esta Redrigo, where is he? I don't see ... Rodrigo always comes ... Where is he? Is he standing up? So Rodrigo, when he finishes transplant ... There you are. So what did he do after transplant? He went to high school. He graduated. He went to college. He went to nursing school and I was at his graduation. And what did he do after that? He came to work as a City of Hope nurse for his whole career.
And then there's Bry Ganyon, who had his transplant 47 years ago, and then had a lung transplant, uh, years later and is doing well from both diseases. I think Bria is here. I think he's threatening he was sitting in the back, but if Bria's here, if you could stand up, you know? Yeah. And then there's Cindy Laden who had her unrelated donor transplant I think 34 years ago and she is here with us today. So I'd like to acknowledge her. And then there is Janelle Weisweaver, who was one of my first pediatric patients. I have pictures of her in my arms when she was here and now she's 40 ... She is 48 years later. I'm not sure where Janelle is, but if she would stand up, "There she is. There's Janelle." And as some of you know, last year in April, uh, we did our 20,000th transplant, uh, in the building behind us and that was from an unrelated donor found by DKMS, our favorite registry, uh, from Germany. <laugh>
So who are you?
You are people of all ages, children, grandchildren, grandparents, of many cultures, ethnicities, and languages, of many faiths, of diverse backgrounds, each unique in your own journey. You are our children. You are our parents, grandparents, our partners, spouses, you are our friends and you are as diverse as the whole of humanity. We know that when you came to us for care, we're caring not just for a single person, but someone's child, someone's parent, someone's spouse, their partner life, their friend, and our task is to preserve that for all of you day in and day out. When I think back over these 50 years and recall how we began and recognize how much has changed since we began this quest, there's one thing that hasn't changed, has never been altered and that is our commitment to each of you to always find a better way. There's no result we have that can't be improved.
There's no way of doing things that can't be better, uh, to make it safer, more successful each year. You know, as I said this morning, there's an irony that at City of Hope, a place that began its care for the destitute and dying of tuberculosis, taking care of people under small tents on these very grounds where we're sitting today that we continue to gather under a really big tent, uh, signifying that no matter how big we grow, both here and around the country, we remain mindful of our very humble origins utilizing the knowledge that results from science combined with compassion to conquer the foe that's a life-threatening illness that we confront not alone but together. If there's on immutable truth about who we are, it's a recognition about the dignity and intrinsic value of every life that's entrusted to us, no matter whether you work at the bedside, in a laboratory, in an office, in the care of everyone who finds their way here, there are thousands of people, from the leadership to volunteers, to philanthropy, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, social workers who repair and restore your bodies and your souls, security guards, housekeepers, dietary staff, and even the crossing guards here are on this journey with you.
So before I introduce the lead of the City of Hope, I want to acknowledge and thank some of the former leaders of City of Hope who are here today. First, Dr. Michael Friedman, who has joined us, he was the president of the City of Hope Alexandra Mary Levine Marcel Vandermink, who is my boss and the ... And I'm not sure if she's here, but my colleague of 27 years, uh, Deborah Fields, uh, who, um, was there this morning, but who's been a part of all of this, uh, journey for a long time. And I want to please ex- I want you to extend a special welcome to my close, long-term friend and the new incoming chairman of the City of Hub Board of Directors, no less committed to what we do than anybody who works here, Mrs. Steven Fink.
Where is he? There you are. Okay. I've known him a long time. We met because we were on the same basketball team at summer camp. <laugh> That's how long we got back, you know? So he was the rebounder and I was the run and gun shooter at the time. Um, I also want to acknowledge City of Hope site leaders, uh, Dr. Eileen Smith, Rio Nakamura, Manzar Almalki, Guido Marcucci, um, and then our leaders at, uh, again, Phoenix, Chicago, Atlanta, uh, Julio Leslie and, and, and Jeffrey Scriber. Um, and then s- uh, Ricardo Spielberger, I think, is here, Neil Kogat, uh, Nadi, Dr. O'Donnell, Dr. Karanas, Dr. Molina and Anne Burke, who is here, who was the nursing director for more than half of the time we've had a program, she was the leader of the nursing group here and is very much a part of why we're here today.
So if they could all stand up so we could cheer for them.
Okay. So now it's my honor to introduce you to the chief executive officer of the City of Hope, Mr. Robert Stone, who is attending his 30th transplant reunion. In 2024, he was named one of the most influential healthcare leaders for his work and for his vision on, frankly, on behalf of all of you and everybody else that we take care of here at the City of Hope. But it's not just that, it's also his moral sense and in these times to have a leader with a moral sense stands out. And so we are very proud that he is ours. He is indeed the architect of our local and national growth and more importantly, as I said this morning, he is the keeper of the flame, the City of Hope. So please welcome Robert Stone.
Speaker 2:
Thank you, Dr. Forman, for that kind introduction. Um, you mean more to me than I can say, you really do and as uncomfortable as that makes you feel <laugh> I haven't even begun the roast yet and you're sitting down. Ladies and gentlemen, with all due respect to our friends at Disney, I have the great pleasure of welcoming all of you to what truly is the most magical place on earth. We are so proud to share this day with you and I have only on job today and that's to say thank you, but I'm gona break it up into four parts, so get comfortable for just a minute. First, I wanna say thank you to all of you patients who are with us for putting your trust in us and for serving as an inspiration for those of us who wake up every day and come to City of Hope figuring out how we best serve you, your resilience, your courage, your optimism, and the adaptability you show is the model to which we all aspire.
Would you please, everyone, give a round of applause for our patients.
Second group, families and supporters. You know, something I've often heard said and believe is that the hardest thing for patients is when you hear the words, "You have cancer." But one of our patients recently told me that she had a different experience. The hardest words for her were, "I have cancer." And the reason it was so hard is because she had to go tell her husband, her kids, her parents, the people who loved her, that she had a journey and that they were gonna walk that journey with her. And it reminds me that indeed in the cancer journey, it's not just about our patients, for all of you who walk this journey with your spouse, your child, your parent, your loved one, your friend, thank you. We know you're there every step of the way and it is an honor to have you in our extended City of Hope family.
Everyone, please give those caregivers a round of applause.
Third group, I wanna thank our doctors, our nurses, and the members of our care team. Yeah, please. Like many of you, for me, Dr. Forman is the face I see first when I think of the transplant program, but he'd be the first to tell you, "He's just the eye candy." <laugh> It's really the skill of our doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and all the members of our program. I heard Dr. Forman this morning say so eloquently that it takes a thousand people to make a single patient's transplant possible. Every one of these individuals represents a unique set of expertise and they are the people who, like Dr. Forman says, takes our patient's hands and never lets go. So a third round of applause, if you would, for our doctors, nurses, caregivers.
And last but not least, I wanna thank Dr. Forman. Dr. Forman is like a brother to me, a slightly older brother, but much better looking so you have that going for you, Steve. You know, I'll, I'll digress for a minute. I've known Dr. Forman for 30 years. Actually, I've worked for him for 30 years. <laugh> And about a year or two ago, I felt comfortable enough- <laugh> ... And I worked up the courage to ask him if I might finally call him Steve. <laugh> And he said, yes, just not in public. <laugh> So anyway, I wanna thank Dr. Forman. <laugh>
After so many years together, I have so many stories about him. <laugh> But I wanna just share two with you because they explain the essence of the man for me, the man that I see every day in the man that I admire deeply. So none of you may know this, but Dr. Forman is a Dodgers fan. <laugh> No, it's true. It's true. Yeah. Do we have Dodger fans in, in ... Yeah. So about 10 years ago, Dr. Forman called me and he said, "I'd like you to throw out the first pitch at a Dodgers game." I said, "No. I, I, I don't wanna throw 50,000 people I'm sure just looking at me to see if I throw it high, I throw it in the dirt." And he said, "No, I, I promise you it will go great. I, Dr. Forman will play catch with you ahead of time- <laugh> ... To warm you up.
We will be ... I'll stand behind you on the field and we will support you. " And I said, "Yes. I have yet to play catch with Dr. Forman." <laugh> I showed up to throw out the first pitch and it turned out between the time I said yes and the time we actually threw out the first pitch, there were gonna be two first pitches simultaneously, my first pitch and Dr. Forman's first pitch. <laugh> But there was only room for one of us on the mound at Dodger Stadium in the center. One of us had to stand on the side of the mound at an angle. That was me. <laugh>
And we wound up, they said, "Throw, I threw." He paused, then he threw, the ball went up and it came down perfect strike and he turned to me and let me know it was a perfect strike. <laugh> So the lesson is this, the competitive nature and the perfection of Dr. Forman, both of those traits are front and center when he's at your side and cancer is the opponent. When I think of Dr. Forman, the second lesson I've learned is that I know what it's like to be a family member of someone under his care who's praying for the hope that he provides. My wife, Charlotte, is with me, uh, today and her uncle Bud was a patient of Dr. Forman's, underwent a transplant for AML. My mother-in-law in her 70s was his marrow donor. And Dr. Forman, Steve, if I might, I've seen you at the bedside.
You are the embodiment of our determination that patients should never have to choose between medical and scientific excellence on the one hand and the most human experience and compassion on the other. Yes, that, that deserves. Over five decades, you've become not only an exceptional leader, but you've shown what it means to be a great physician, researcher, and human being. You are the embodiment of City of Hope and I don't say this enough. I admire you. I appreciate you as a physician and I love you as my friend. On behalf of everyone, my last thanks is for you and everyone please one last round of applause.
Speaker 1:
We'll talk later, Robert. <laugh> <laugh> So what I didn't tell him at the stadium was advice I got from Kike Hernandez, uh, because I had been practicing. In Kike's advice to me when I was on the mound, he says, "Everybody aims for the catcher's mit, aim for the catcher's head and the ball will drop into the knit." I chose not to tell Robert that. <laugh> Oh, Lord, okay. And we'll talk more about the Dodgers, you know, later, but thank you. So as most of you know, th- this day always begins when two of our City of Hope patients meet their unrelated donors who provided the stem cells for them. It's a moment of anticipation, it's very emotional, it's very personal, you know, I've always been sruck by the fact that they allow us to do this in such a public way about something that is so personal and so private.
You know, we've, we've done several thousand transplants where the cells came from a unknown, unrelated, good Samaritan person, a volunteer donor, uh, reaching across the country, across the ocean, across continents. It emphasizes all who come to that event and witness the moment that in our quest to save lives, borders are nothing more than lines on a map that the human spirit can transcend. For many of our patients, our donor was found through the German Registry, DKMS, and have received their transplants from ordinarily people that were founded by D- found by DKMS in the registry. This morning, two of our patients met their only to donors when Lynn Lero met her donor, Alexandra Abud, who came from North Carolina and, um, Vaughn met his donor, Johanna Seeger, who made her journey from Durseldorf, Germany, who was here today. So if I could ask the four of them and their families to stand up, where are they?
There they are.
So I just wanna say thank you again for letting us have the privilege of being part of this, to be in some ways part of your family today, uh, also. But we're also very pleased with, to have with us today Katherine, Katherina Harf, who is the executive chairwoman of DKMS, Dr. Elkanoyar, the global CEO of DKMS, and our colleague, Dr. Johannes Shetalig, uh, the head of the transplant program in Dresden and the medical director of DKMS who are here with all of you to celebrate this occasion. So I'm humbled by what they do. They have become wonderful friends, uh, and I'd like to ask them to stand so we can cheer for them also, okay?
Okay. So I'm gonna take a moment on this, um, which is one of the happiest and proudest day, proudest days of the year for the City of Hope, one that's full of joy, profound gratitude for the many blessings we have and we share it with each other very much like Robert did. But even when we have such moments of joy, we are also aware of the bittersweetness that is the memory of those wonderful people over the years for which we were not successful and yet who remain a presence and a quiet way in each one of our lives, both yours and ours. I know from talking to many of you and to many of our staff that those people are no less present in our own lives than you are here today. Sometimes it's a voice that sounds familiar, a song that transports you to a different time or a scene, an aroma, a name on a bench, a picture on the wall, or some random photographs in a death drawer, which brings them back to life once again for us.
For us, there is no closure. In a perfect world, all 20,000 people who had their transplanted city of hope would be here too. And as someone said, we'd be doing this event at Dodger Stadium. So in these moments today, when we share the joys of our lives together, we also share that feeling of loss. When the disease we fight so hard to overcome takes someone precious from us and from you, that's why we think of cancer as a thief. I have no doubt given the type of care you received here that each of you remembers a wonderful person you met while you were here. Sometimes it's that person in the next room, that person strolling down the hallway with you, you know, with your pole and those bags and those little feet counting how many times around the unit you have walked the person in the next chair to you in clinic, which is suddenly empty.
Like you, we feel that loss profoundly when we do not hear an audible voice, but we know it's still heard. We can see them even when they're not here and we can feel their touch even in their absence. For us, sometimes that loss is one of our own staff, our nurse on the fourth floor, a clerk on unit But today I want to especially remember someone who came to work every day to help raise the money that led to the discoveries that we have used over the years in improving our outcomes for transplant. Um, excuse me, her name was Julie Hara and like many other fundraisers at City of Hope, she was one of us, no less than anyone else in the program. She came to City of Open 2015. Why? In part, she was a fundraiser in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but her husband, Bird Harrah, an internationally known clarinetist, came from the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra that joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra as the associate principal clarinetist.
And the bonus was we got Julie. I And how lucky we were that she came to work from us. Not far from where we are today is a bench in Julie's memory and I often go there and sit in a reflective way, particularly on days that have more challenges than others, nighttime. And her picture hangs on the wall of our research laboratories because she, as I said, are one of us. Julie, as I, I shared with Burt and he knows, um, would brighten a room just by walking into it. And like the many people that you're all thinking about that I'm thinking about, she's here today. There is this phrase I think you've heard here that everyone counts. Well, we include all those people too. But there's little doubt that each of you are a miracle and sometimes we don't really know why did it work for you and it didn't work for somebody else.
That's what we come to work every day to try to figure out. So in a moment, as we all do with each reunion, I'm gonna ask that you stand for a moment of reflection. We're calling those who demonstrated uncommon valor, which was their common virtue. Following this, we have the honor that Julie's husband, Burt, will perform a very quiet pensive melody for this occasion, but he's gonna follow that with something very lively by Gershwin that shows his remarkable virtuoso talent. Uh, it's a duet and his piano accompanist is, uh, Brent Asink, who received his CAR T cells in this program six months ago and just celebrated his six month remission. Woo. Yes. So this first melody is meant to be reflective, not something you're gonna walk away humming, but it's meant to help you think about someone who is dear and near to you, whether it's your own family or a patient who was here, someone you miss in your life like we all do.
So if I could ask Bert and Brent to come up and honor us with their performance. Bert, Brent?
It's hard to talk after that. Um, but thank you both for, for doing this. And if you're wander around campus, Julie's bench is on your way to take the picture. So as many of you know, we get evaluated every year, our transplant program for how well we do. And we are very much known for taking on the most challenging cases and not letting anybody who we get help gone, go unaided. And for 18 of the last 22 years, we're the only program that has had a streak of outperforming what's expected. It, it says a lot about a lot of things that go on around here. So you have to understand in transplant data, that's the equivalent of Oral Hersheiser's consecutive scoreless inning streak or DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak. That's a batting average of over 800 and that would get us to Cooperstown. <laugh>
We still get calls, you know, from other programs wanting to know, uh, how do you, how do you do that? Or what's going on there out in ... Where is that? Dorty? You know, where's Duarte? Uh, California. Uh, they want to know what, what do you get, what do you, what's in the tea there? What's the secret sauce? And of course, everybody here, everybody here knows the answer. It's because our patients get their care, as Robert said, from City of Hope nurses and City of Hope physicians who work together night and day with their hands holding yours throughout. As much as ... Yeah.
The nurses and the physicians here, I'm talking about cancer doctors, cancer surgeons, cancer radiologists, pediatric oncologists, pathologists. It's their compassion that makes this work. They're the very heart of the City of Hope and they're quite bluntly. There's no AI that can quantify or replace that. That ain't happening. Okay. So as I said this morning, uh, as one of our patients' husbands wrote years ago to me, he sent me a poem that he wrote for the reunion that basically said that nurses are angels in disguise. And for those of us who work here, we know that angels don't wear wings, they wear nursing uniforms.
So, yeah. So they, the nurses and physicians are really at the center of what makes everything so special here. I'd ask them, you know, there's just not enough of them here just because of the size and the fact that we're at work, but the, those who are all here, physicians, nurses, if you could stand up one more time and we'll acknowledge you, okay? Yeah. So ... Hm, something's missing. I need a hat. How about this hat? I think boo, right? Cheaters. Okay. How about this one? How about this one? So as many of you know, and Robert conveyed quite clearly, we have a very privileged relationship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. For all of us here and the many people who work in the Dodger organization, this is a natural relationship because at its core, we're both about family, community, working as a team, cheering for our patients and working together with the goal of curing everybody who comes to us.
There's a special feeling for many of us when you go to a game and it's just so magical when we're there and we see a patient, not in the clinic, not in a bed, but in a seat, the bleachers, the blue section, the, you know, the box seats who, who are there and doing what we want them to do, which is to live their life free of their disease. It reaffirms what we want for all of you to have those simple and memorable pleasures in life. In our quest to bring you back to health, both we and the Dodgers are basically one team. So, and to celebrate the Dodgers and how they've helped our patients over the years, we have a special welcome from the radio announcers of Los Angeles Dodgers, Charlie Steiner and Rick Monday. So please watch the monitor.
Speaker 3:
Oh my goodness. Thank you, Dr. Forman. I can't tell you how honored I am and Mo is as well to be here today, honoring the 50th anniversary of the BMT program, the bone marrow transplant program and all of you are celebrating this great day. Speaking of 50, it was 50 years ago this past Saturday, this fellow here, Rick Monday, notably picked up that American flag right here at Dodger Stadium when he was a member of the Cubs. In that moment, as you look back 50 years, what sticks out the most?
Speaker 4:
Charlie, I think the biggest thing is, is that that day, that afternoon, and still today, I felt it was the right thing to do. I happened to be closer than anyone else to do it, to make, to make a statement, if you will. Yes, it's a piece of cloth that represents the rights and freedoms that we have on this earth. And talking about the good doctor, if we may, if I could get really informal, Dr. Steve, you know how important you have been to us as well. I've had the privilege of, of speaking at City of Hope a few years ago and see the smiles on the faces. Just as I've seen the smile on your face my friend, come back as well. The good doctor and all of the folks that surround him. We couldn't be any more proud to be able to call them not only professionals, but even more so friends of ours.
Steve
Speaker 3:
Is one of the greats in his profession. We are lucky to have him great at what he does. Catching the first pitch? Well, we're all gona find out together.
Speaker 1:
All right. Thank you. We're really happy to get that. <laugh> So as you know, each year we're fortunate to have a guest who's been a member of the LA Dodgers baseball organization. Today is no exception. We are very excited and grateful this year to have Mr. James Loney, who was a star ... Who was a star first baseman for the team for seven of his 11 years playing in Major League Baseball. He grew up in Houston, Texas. He was drafted 19th in 2005 by the Dodgers as a left-handed pitcher, but quickly showed what he could do with a bat and how he could field the ball at first base. He actually replaced Nomar Garcia Pera at that position and in his seven years with the Dodgers, he hit over 100 home runs, knocked in over a hun- 600 RBIs, has the third highest major, major modern league era for triples in a season.
And on September 28th, 2006 against the Colorado Rockies, he set a Dodger record for RBIs with nine in one game, putting him ahead of Gil Hodges and Sean Green. Not even Shohei has done that. <laugh> Okay? So James, in keeping with the City of Hope Dodger tradition, you've just fielded a hot ground ball way behind the back at first place at the edge of right field. So throw me the ball before the runner gets to first and hope I do not drop it. <laugh>
Yes. Yeah. <laugh> No, are you gonna ... Oh yeah, we're ready. They wanna hear you, not me. <laugh> Thank you. Yeah, appreciate it. Okay. Thanks.
Speaker 5:
All right. Dr. Forman, appreciate it. And I'd make sure I threw it, you know, as close as I could. I felt like we didn't move the glove too much,
Speaker 1:
Right?
Speaker 5:
<laugh> All right, all right. Um, yeah, I am from Houston, but I am not a Astros fan anymore, so just to clarify that. Um, Dr. Forman's great, but he is wrong about one thing and, you know, unfortunately Shoe Otani is a great player and he had 10 RBIs in his fifty fifty year, so he took that from me. Yeah, I know. I know. It's guy, he's got everything. <laugh> But I will thank him, uh, I'm doing some broadcasting now, so I'll thank him for two of the rings that we got the last two years, right? Yeah, so ... But, um, yeah, I mean, I thank you to, you know, everyone, you know, all the doctors, everyone that's, uh, helping here, you know, you guys are true heroes. It, you know, it really, you know, when you guys come to the field, throw out first pitches, when we go to the hospitals, um, you know, you may not know how much it impacts us, but it really does.
Um, to see you guys smiling, enjoying the game, you know, enjoying, uh, just even like see people out there for batting practice, um, you know, how much joy that brings you, it really brings us a lot of joy too. So we definitely wanna keep seeing that. Um, you know, I've been affected by cancer as well. My mom passed away a couple years ago, um, due to a surgery to, um, you know, try to, um, you know, get some f- where she could eat and get, um, get food down her throat so she had surgery and passed away in that. So I've definitely been affected in that regard with cancer. Um, and people always ask me, "Okay, well, how, you know, how do you move forward or, or what do you do about that? " And there's, there's really nothing you can say. You know, I always say it's just time.
It's really time and then how you affect the people around you. If you have kids, if you have, you know, relatives, whoever you have around you, you know, whoever passed away, whoever's sick, put that energy into the other people around you, right? Put that energy into them, put that love into them, right? Y- you know, you can't bring someone back, but you can definitely put that energy into the people around you. So that's, you know, how I look at it and that's how I try to move forward with it.
Let me see. I got a couple, couple notes in here that I don't wanna, uh, forget. Okay. And I think another thing too is, you know, a lot of people, you know, you're, you're, you're, you survive, you've had the help here and, and what's next, right? What's the next chapter in your life? And I've dealt with that as well. You know, I played for 11 seasons and then you're kinda like, "Okay, what do I wanna do, right? You know, you know, what do I do with my time? What I'm, what do I wanna put my energy?" And I struggled with that for a little bit. I became an agent for a while, didn't really love that and then, uh, now I'm broadcasting with the team so we're doing the pre and post game shows. So I think you definitely just gotta, you know, find your way after, you know, keep trying things, right?
People always say like, "Do what you love," but you may have to try 10 different things to, to find that. So keep pushing, you know, keep looking for that and use the people around you too. That's what I've done before. I have some great people around me and, and, and, you know, as I've gotten older, that's what you gotta do. When you're younger, you kinda just hang with anyone, right? You're kinda like, "Oh, whatever you guys are doing," as you get older, you gotta hang with the right people. You gotta be around the people that are gonna bring you up and, um, definitely have your, you know, best interest at heart.
Speaker 6:
Um,
Speaker 5:
Uh, another thing about belief too is, you know, my whole life is I never felt like I was a baseball player. <laugh> I never felt ... Well, Dr. Forman, you hit it. I felt like I was a pitcher. I was a pitcher trapped in a hitter's body. <laugh> Um, because I threw 94 in high school as a lefty so that was something I had struggled with my whole life is like, "Wait, I think I'm really supposed to be a pitcher every time I get out. " And, uh, you know, it was tough for me and then I just, you know, finally was like, "You know what? These guys trust you, you know, these guys want you to be the best and that's really what you guys gotta have moving forward. You gotta trust in yourself, you know, have, have that ... " It, it, you're not gonna get, like I said, you're not gonna get a hit every time, right?
But if you keep trying, you keep pushing, you're gonna find that way, and that's how I kept doing it. You know, I always just felt like, I don't know if I'm supposed to be here, but I'm gonna definitely keep pushing forward for it. So I definitely think, um, you know, now looking back at it, this is definitely where I'm supposed to be. I'm supposed to be up here talking in front of you guys, impacting you guys and, um, you know, there's a young lady here that she said make me blanket. You wanna stand up for a second? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was thinking about you just now and I, you know what I was thinking about? I, um, I bought this random hat at a store and it's actually, um, Dodger Stadium on the, uh, on the hat. So I think I wanna give it to you now. <laugh>
Yeah, come on. She used to hold up blankets, lonely blankets at the game, there you go, that's your hat now. So yeah <laugh>. Yeah. <laugh> But, um, yeah, I appreciate Dr. Forman out, you know, having me out here and, uh, I know we'll be around a little bit and, uh, looking forward to the rest of the program. Thanks. Yeah. Thank you.
Speaker 1:
No, you cannot put on the astro hat. That ain't gonna work in this crowd. <laugh> All right. So thank you, James. You really ... The things you said mean a lot to all of us, patients, families, and those of us who work here. Okay. So it's time for me to be quiet, okay? And let you all enjoy this special entertainment by our very talented, uh, patients and staff. This is a tradition we started a number of years ago and is one of the many highlights of every reunion. So among the traditions we have are the shirts, the buttons, the Dodgers, the cake and now for what I think is 22 consecutive years, a special patient, Sean Kent, who was a professional comedy writer and performer, has entertained us with his unique style of humor to a very unique audience for sure. This is in Vegas, this is City of Hope.
For me, it's a joy to know him and I've known him a long time and I've watched him grow as a person, as a performer. I've watched his girls grow up from these little kids to adults who were graduating from college and making their way in the world. We're always happy to have him back. He's nationally known for his writing, his standup, and we love listening to his musings about medicine, the world, politics, and the unique humor that comes with being a cancer survivor. He is one of our headliners, so please welcome back to City of Hope. City of Hope's favorite comedian, Sean Kent.
Speaker 7:
Thank you, Steve. You're welcome. You're the best. Give me a hug. That was weird. You didn't hug me. <laugh> I reached out for a hug. Did you guys see that? He blocked me. Oh, it's good to be here. Uh, I work on cruise ships a lot. You meet a lot of geniuses on cruise ships. Uh, we were going to The Bahamas and I asked this guy, I said, "Are you excited to go to Nassau?" He said, "Yeah, I always wanted to see a spaceship." Thank you. That was joke number one. All right, good. I don't always work on the nicest cruise line. I work on, uh, one. I shouldn't say, I'll just say it rhymes with Carnival. And, uh, I ordered the deep dishue massage and three guys came out and hit me with a bat, so that wasn't the greatest. <laugh> Give it up for City of Hope for making it through the pandemic too, by the way.
Can we give it up for them?
I got depressed during the pandemic. I got so depressed. I started watching Depressing TV. I got addicted to this one show. It was about a dystopian future where everything's gone wrong. It was called CNN. I got so depressed, I thought about ending it all, but fortunately I'm a moron because I drove my car into the garage, closed the garage door and waited to fall asleep. About an hour later, I remember I drive a Tesla. <laugh> There we go. All right. It's, it's harder to follow the, once Robert's been funny. I've noticed the crowd doesn't laugh as much. You gotta put a stop to that. Uh, it's great to be here. We're in the nice part of Duarte next to the Walmart and the gravel pit.
I love Walmart. Uh, you can get anything at Walmart. You can walk in there with a shopping list like, "All right, I need tires and lettuce and a basketball, a Bible and a gun." <laugh> Grandma's prescription sunscreen, a hula hoop, preparation H, flat screen TV, car battery, kayak and an engagement ring. Ladies, if you got your ring at Walmart, give it back. He's not the one for you. At least get you a man who goes to Target. Will Farrell is here. I don't know if you guys know that. I don't know if it's a surprise or if I bur- if I busted the surprise. Will Ferrell is here. He's the nicest guy. I met him a couple times. I don't know if he remembers me. I barely remember me. So he's the nicest guy. He's had no scandals. He's a movie star. He's good looking. It's disgusting.
It's enough to make you sick. Somebody get this guy some cocaine and a limo. <laugh>
I, uh, I have a lot of time when I'm on cruise ships. I listen to podcasts. I like true crime. Does anybody like true crime? Yeah, it's always the women. They like listening about other women getting murdered. I don't know what it is. You're shaking the head. I listened to this one. It was fascinating. It was by a guy who gives lie detector tests for a living and he said he won't give them anymore because he said they're very easy to beat. He said, "All you have to do to beat a lie detector is when you lie, you clench your butt cheeks together as hard as you can and it lowers your heart rate a little bit and they can't tell." You know what's awesome? All of you just clenched your butt cheeks, didn't you? <laugh>
I could tell, Steve, you got an inch and a half higher. <laugh> And it's not even true. I just made that up to make you do it. <laugh> But you couldn't tell I was lying because I clinched mine. I gotta go home to my wife. My wife is mad at me right now because I messed up her birthday present. I, uh, it's not my fault. She did that thing that women do where they give you a general idea and then they get mad at you when you don't nail it. Ladies, don't do that. We are morons. Just tell us what you want a week and be a hero. In fact, you go buy it, I'll Venmo you the money. <laugh> 'Cause this is what she did to me. She goes, "This year since you're doing good, can you get me something with some diamonds?" So I did. I bought her a deck of cards. <laugh>
And that's when I learned a woman is like an appendix. You don't need one, but they can up and kill you. <laugh> I love my wife. She cuddles with me and, uh, she says things I don't understand. She'll put her head right here. She'll be like, "I just feel so safe in your arms." And in my mind, I'm like, "You should not. " <laugh> Like, I'm a comedian, not a kickboxer. If a bunch of criminals come in here, what am I gonna do about that? I don't know karate, and you're crushing my good arm. <laugh> I feel safe because I'll throw you at the criminals. <laugh>
We actually don't snuggle like that very much anymore though, because we're middle-aged. You can't snuggle like that. She puts her head here. I'm like, "Ow. Ow, get off." She puts her leg over me. I'm like my hip. There's a nerve and it makes my left elbow hurt. She gets close. I'm like, "Scoot over, my thyroid doesn't work. I can't regulate temperature." We snuggle like every couple over 50. We hold hands like we were in a suicide pact. <laugh> Uh, I've had a weird year. I found out I was adopted. This is a true story. I took one of those, uh, DNA tests from ancestry.com. Have you guys ever taken one of those? Anybody taking one of those? What am I talking to? These crowds got the most messed up DNA of anybody out here.
Half of you or if you wouldn't get busted for a murder, your donor would. I found out my dad who raised me wasn't my dad because the test came back half Jewish and my mom's not Jewish and Kent is not a name you hear around the temple a lot. So I called my mom and for the purposes of the joke, just so you can see what kind of cycle I'm dealing with, I'm gonna tell you exactly what she told me. I go, "Hey, mom, how come I'm half Jewish?" She goes, "Okay, I knew this day would come." <laugh> Basically, when I got pregnant with you, I was married to a nice Jewish fella, but he didn't want no babies so I left him for your daddy because he had a steady job at Jiffy Lube. I said, "Were you ever gonna tell me? " She goes, "No, we were never gonna tell you.
" I said, "Why not? " She said, "In our defense, when you was little and we tell you the truth about stuff, you just lose your mind." I said, "Give me one example." She said, "We told you about Santa and you went crazy." I said, "Of course, I don't wanna hear about Santa. I'm Jewish." <laugh> Thanks a lot, you guys. I'll see you next year. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1:
Thank you, Sean. <laugh> So in talking to people, you know, as we plan for this 50th reunion, we ask, who should we invite again to perform this year? And everybody I asked said, "Please bring back Alison Reed, who had her transplant in February 27th, 2019." She's, uh, she and her spouse, Allison Milgard, are here. They have two wonderful boys who I have been hearing about growing up. It's just hard for me to see these kids who becoming adults and going out into the world kinda like your own. It's just so startling. But Heather is a s- as you know, is a songwriter, performer, and musician based, best known in some groups for her bands, The Murmurs and Red Car. She's now writing songs for musicals on stage and screen and with some Hollywood luck, we'll have a musical opening in New York and I plan to be there as one of her groupies.
Um, she's here today celebrating seven years after her BMT at City of Hope and we'll perform two songs, one of which will involve all of you. So watch the monitors. Okay. Allison? Excuse me. <laugh> Heather, I'm not gona get you up here. Okay. <laugh> You ready? Rock and roll?
Speaker 8:
Yeah. Hi, everyone. Thank you so much for having me. Let's get the guitar out there. There we go. So I wanna thank City of Hope for all that they do for everyone, for you, for me, for our families. And Dr. Forman asked me to sing this song and it makes so much sense because I get by with a little help from my friends. I got through my transplant with a little help from my friends and I think we all get by with little help from our friends. So I'm gonna need some help. I was told they're putting the lyrics up. So please, when the chorus comes, help me get by with a little help my, from my friends and please sing along and join a ... Okay. Here
Speaker 1:
We go.
Speaker 8:
What would you think if I sang out of tune? Would you laugh by to walk out on me? Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song. I try not to sing out a key. Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends. Oh, I'm gonna try with little help from my friends. What do I do when my love is away? And how do I feel at the end of the day? Are you sad because you're on your own? No, I get by with little help from my friends. Come on. Ooh. Get high with little help from my friends. Get a try with little help from my friends.
I just need someone to love. I want somebody to love. I'm certain it happens all the time. No, I'm telling you, but I'm certain that it's fine. Oh, I get by with little help from my friends. Mm, get high with little help from my friends. Get a try with little help from my friends. I just need someone to love. Oh, I get by with a little help from my friend. Sing it. Oh, I'm gonna drive with a little help from my friends. Mm, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends. With a little help from my friend. You did great. <laugh> Thank you so much.
Speaker 1:
Okay. All right. All right. Thank
Speaker 8:
You.
Speaker 1:
Heather Reed. Okay. Michael. And now there is Mark Schultz. Most of you know him if you've been here the last few years. For those of you who are here for the first time, you're in for a real treat. He played in a band with Johnny Rotten from The Sex Pistols. His professional career has been in rock and roll performing with various bands and composing for soundtracks. And each of the last two year reunions, everyone was buzzing about the showstopping, scene stealing, head banging, remarkable performance. So I asked if he would do it again for us, for all of you and he said, "Sure." So please welcome back Mark Schultz, when it went transplant three years ago on January 11th, 2023. As he, as he did last year, as he did last year, he'll be performing a medley of some of the most iconic and memorable rock guitar rips and sole- solos of all time.
It puts a smile on everybody's face and gets you moving in your seat so let it rip.
Speaker 9:
Okay. I just wanted to tell you all that a couple of months ago I was able to contact my donor and, uh, guess what? She's a nurse. <laugh> 23-year-old nurse in, uh, Poland, operating room nurse in Poland and she's an amazing person and, uh, so I just want to dedicate this to her and all the nurses here at City of Hope and everywhere in the world.
Speaker 1:
<laugh>
So where else could you hear a classical clarinetist and hard rock on the same program in an afternoon? Okay. <laugh> I think Burt and Mark blended just fine, you know? <laugh> All right. Um, let me find out where I am. So our special guest today does not need an introduction. I could just say his name, welcome him to the stage as his comedic theatrical writing and award-winning performances, cross generations, and frankly, he is a treasure to us all. But beyond as many talents is his commitment to friendships, lifelong friendships, and with his friend, Craig Pollard, who is now 38 day, 38 years, excuse me, after his own transplanted City of Hope, developed and supported cancer for the College Foundation, which helps support young people who've overcome cancer, be able to return to school, get an education, and go on with life, just as James was talking about and we've all talked about, but Will has made that happen with Craig.
Some of the people who have benefited from his personal generosity and his work are transplant patients at City of Pope, some of whom are here today who have been the beneficiaries of what he and Craig have, have done together. So he has a very special place in our hearts here at the City of Pope, especially today. As I mentioned to introduce him, I just need to say his name and say nothing else. So please welcome to the stage in our reunion, Will Ferrell.
Is that for me?
Speaker 10:
Chuck, hello. Oh, can you hear me? Hey, everyone. Oh my gosh, look at this. I had no idea. I thought we were just gonna be in a parking lot with a taco truck and some Mylar balloons. <laugh> But no, this is big. This is a big deal. Well, I'm kind of a big deal, but this is a big deal. It's, it's so b- thank you. Thank you very much. Ron Burgundy's here. In fact, you know, this is such a ... I heard about it on KNX Radio today. Yes, I listened to AM Radio. Shout out to AM Radio. <laugh>
In fact, that's why I'm here to talk about the virtues of AM Radio. <laugh> City, I, City of Hope, I didn't even know ... I mean, I, I live in Duarte. I didn't even realize this place existed. No, I don't live in Duarte. Of course I don't. But it got me out of the house. I finally can check that off the list. Duarte, done. Done. Home of City of Hope and you guys are the best, right? At what you do. Dr. Forman here, I mean, and it's cancer o- and the reason why you guys are so good is because you're focused on cancer. Cancer only. If I came here with a sprained ankle, no, get out. <laugh>
I think I need my appendix removed. I'm sorry. Beat it, pal. Leave and drive yourself. That's what I've heard. I've heard you're amazing to cancer patients, but you're mean to all other people with other maladies. And that's led by that guy. <laugh> That dude. Yeah, he's a dude. All right. Um, no, it's, uh, amazing to be ... You're probably wondering my connection to City of Hope and it's, uh ... Well, I have a, I have a couple different connections, uh, but starting with Dr. Forman, I've gotten to know Dr. ... I met Dr. Forman originally because I needed a Steven Spielberg impersonator, uh, at my Indiana Jones birthday party for my kids.
And so he made an appearance. All the kids were like, "I don't care." But the parents were like, "Wow, this is really good," you know? And we started talking and, uh, I was like, "Oh, wow, you're really good Steven Spielberg impersonate." He's like, "Yeah, I'm the top one in the state. I'm number one." <laugh> And he's like, uh, I go, "What, is this all you do? " Um, and he goes, "No, I'm a, I'm also a cancer doctor." But this is how my, I make my main scratch impersonating Steven. So we got to know each other. If I needed to sneak into the Oscars, I would call up Forman. I'd say, "I'm with Spielberg." They're like, right this way, let me in.
So that's how I got to know him at first. By the way, I, while I'm here, I should take advantage of this. Do we have any, anyone from our dermatology team here? 'Cause if I could do a quick mold check, it's, I always forget where I think it's somewhere if we can zoom in. Is it ... I don't know if I see it. Do you see, can you see it? That's, that's the thing. Now I've lost where the spot is. I'm not paying for that, by the way, because I didn't get a consultation. Okay? Just so you know.
Didn't expect to see that today, did you? <laugh> Um, no, I actually got to know Dr. Forman through my buddy, Craig, who we went to college together and in 1988, right, uh, Craig's cancer had come back and really the only treatment was bone marrow transplant, which in 88 was still considered experimental, right? They were only doing eight transplants a year in 88. And, uh, Craig I think called up Dr. Forman and he said, "Well, there's not a slot available till October." Craig's like, "I have to do it sooner. I wanna get back to, to college and start in the fall again." He's, Dr. Forman said, "I'm sorry we don't have anything till, till in the fall." He's like, "Let me speak to your boss." <laugh> And Dr. Forman said, "Well, I, I am the boss." Uh, and then I think he said, "Well, still give me a slot." Yeah.
Uh, anyway, Craig got a slot, uh, 38 years later, Craig is here, uh, and Dr. Forman and Craig would sit and watch Dodger baseball games and Dr. Forman was like, "Don't worry, pal, we're gonna get you back out on that field." And, uh, and because of Craig, 30 plus years ago, Craig started Cancer for College, which is a, a charity that I'm involved with where we give college scholarships to cancer survivors and in this time we've given out o- close to $10 million in college scholarships. So because of you and all of you and because of you, we've been able to help a lot of people. So, uh, I wanna thank you, Dr. Forman. I wanna thank all of you, uh, for coming out here today, all these wonderful people. I would ask you though, uh, as I leave to think about adding one procedure, uh, Brazilian butt lifts, um, I think, hey, hospital's gotta make money, okay?
Think about it. And you know who would be the best, who'd lead the best program somehow Dr. Forman, he would become the eminent expert on the Brazilian butt lift. So let's get that in the works, all right? Thanks everyone. Thanks so much.
Speaker 1:
Thank you.
Okay. Is VJ still here? <laugh> He left. Uh, it's about the butt lift. I need to- <laugh> You know, it's a, it's a problem getting OR time here, you know? So, uh, it depends. I guess the procedure can be either a long time or a short time, you know, depending on size of the butt. So ele- 11 years ago, 11 years ago, our nurses introduced you to the Marrouts. Yay, who took over the reunion with their singing and we have them back every year to sing and dance for you with lyrics that are specific for, you know, for the transplant. This year is no exception, please welcome back to the stage, Marouettes, to sing their version of Blame It on the Boogie, I think that's the name of the song, right? Yeah. Transplant lyrics and style, and of course, featuring our own dancing headliner himself, Dr. Anthony Stein.
And led by our own head of dermatology and our chief choreographer, the Justin Timberlake of our transplant staff, Dr. Badry Modi. So please welcome to the stage The Marrouts. Okay.
Speaker 11:
Mic check.
Speaker 1:
Yeah. Natural moves. Okay, sure. Okay.
Speaker 11:
Diagnosis KM, then I'm at a tea. They said, "Don't you rang on a win this time." We look for a match. Hero windowing. Look at the rhythm, your cancer free. Don't blame it on the chemo. Don't blame it on the IV. Don't blame it on the hospital. I'm blaming it on the city. Don't blame it on the chemo. Don't blame it on the IV. Don't blame it on the hospital. Limit on the city. You had your friends and family supporting every step. They felt all the love thousand railways. Cancer's gone you so strong. Finish up the fight to celebrate the life headed your way. Don't blame it on the chemo. Don't blame it on the IV. Don't blame it on the hospital. I'm blaming it on the city. Don't blame it on the chemo. Don't blame it on the IV. Don't blame it on the hospital.
I'm blaming it on the city. I just can't. I just can't. I just can't control my fee. I just can't. I just can't. I just can't control my P. I just can't. I just can't. I just Can't control my feet. I just can't. I just can't. I just can't. Don't limit on the chemo. Don't limit on the IV. Don't limit on the hospital. I'm limited on the city. Don't blame it on the chemo. Don't lame it on the IV. Don't blame it on the hospital. I'm lame it on the city.
We had your friends and family supporting every step. You felt on the love housing airways. Cancer's gone, you started wrong, finished off the fight to celebrate the life headed your way. Don't blame it on the chemo. Don't blame it on the IV. Don't blame it on the hospital. Don't blame it on the today. Don't blame it on the chemo. Don't blame it on the IV. Don't lame it on the hospital. I live it on the today. The healing. The feeling. Doctors. The victory. The nurses. The donors. City above. The victory. Healing. The feeling. The doctors. The victory. The nurses. The donors. Be above the victory. The healer. The feeling. The doctors. The victory. The nurses. City of Hope. The victory.
Speaker 7:
<laugh>
Speaker 1:
Okay.
Speaker 3:
Oh, don't worry.
Speaker 1:
Is this still on? Can you hear me? All right, everybody. Hey, Will. I think there's a future for you. I think you're not done. I'm far from it. Anyway, let's hear it for the Merrill Anson for Will Ferrell. And for my good friend and colleague, Dr. Bodi- Dr. Modi, who put this together in two weeks and got everybody doing. So this brings the reunion nearly to a close. When we finish here today, we want you to go back out into the world and do what gives you joy and pleasure and we're going back to work to figure out how to do it better. But before then, we're all gonna hopefully go out and get our picture taken together because we use that picture to show people that there is life after a transplant and you are helping others going forward. So I wanna thank you all for coming.
Happy Mother's Day to those moms for next week to our nurses. Nurses week is coming next week and we have big things planned for that and we'll see you here next year. So let's head out to get our picture taken. Thank you all.
Press Conference Video
Speaker 1:
Right. Good morning, everyone. Good morning. Uh, my name is Steve Forman and on behalf of the City of Hope, I would like to welcome you all in this, the 113th year of our institution and the 50th anniversary of our transplant program to a very special day. When two of our patients who underwent transplant for treatment of leukemia will finally be able to meet their unrelated donor that made this day possible for them. Last year in April of 2025, our transplant program performed this 20,000th transplant for adults and children suffering from life-threatening disease, each of whom came here hoping for a cure of their disease and then returned to the joys of life of family and community. Our first transplant utilizing cells from an unrelated donor was in Nov- on November 17th, 1989. For those of us who work here, each day is filled with the challenges that the threat of cancer poses to people and their families.
For us today, it's a moment in our lives and in the life of this institution where we pause to reflect along with our patients and their families and everyone who works here whose only goal is to cure disease, restore a life, one unique and special person at a time. It is on such a day that we're reminded of the uniqueness of every individual who comes to us for care. We extend our hands to theirs, we grasp it tightly and then together embark on an often frightening journey, one that is always imbued with hope. Before we proceed, we'd like to welcome some, some, some guests. Especially welcome the mayor of Duarte, the city in which the city of Hope ha- uh, the city which for us, that's where we live and she grew up here in, in, uh, Duarte. So please welcome Mayor Tara Martin Del Campo.
And of course, we're grateful to her and for the continued support of local, state, federal partners who have joined us today for this occasion. And of course, uh, we are honored once again to have with us Grace Napolitano, who was our former US representative and Congress from 1999 to 2025, whose grandson, Mike Dyer, underwent a successful transplant in the City of Hope three years and two months ago. So Grace. Thank you.
<laugh> And to help us celebrate one of the ideas that, uh, our group, uh, came up with on the day where two of our patients are meeting their respective donors, please give a special welcome to 13 people who are city vote patients who over the last 10 years met their donors at this very occasion. So I like for all of them who are here to stand so we can, uh, embrace them too. Okay.
A- and there's one person who most of you don't know, have never heard of, but he's, he's very special to us in a, in a variety in ways that I learned recently. One of our physicians, Dr. Gabriel Fine, is a City of Hope interventional radiologist. What's unique about him is not his radiological skills, but he has on two separate occasions, been a stem cell donor for two different people who are alive and, uh, where is Gab- where is he? Where is Gabriel? Okay. Yeah, it's a remarkable story. You know, for a number of years, it's been the tradition of our program to celebrate the anniversary of the program, not only with the grand picnic under a tent, but also for two of our patients who can now meet their unrelated donor. People who are not known to us, but who selflessly provided the stem cells that allowed us to perform the transplant and return those people back to health and to life.
It's ironic that an institution that began its history caring for people under little tents out there on the grounds that we more than a century later, later, gather under a tent. It works. So today, Lynn Laro will meet her donor made possible by the National Marrow Donor Foundation in Minneapolis while Vaughn Wilson will meet his donor made possible by the German Registry of Stem Cell Donors DKMS that was founded in 1991 inspired by a young woman with leukemia for whom at that time, no donor could be found. Her name was Mectiled Hart, Harf, and it was her life that led to the creation of what is now the largest donor registry in the world. She made her husband promise. Yeah. Made her husband P- or Promise and her daughter Katharina, uh, to keep a commitment to try to find a way to have more donors so that more people could live and they have kept that promise motivated by the fate of Peter's wife and Katherina's mother.
They have built DKMS into what I said was the world's largest stem cell donor registry and they have worked tirelessly to fulfill their mission to provide as many blood cancer patients as possible, second chance at life and they do this every day of the week, every day of the year. Um, nearly half of our transplants that we do from endelated donors come through DKMS. So in this special day, we're honored to have as our guest, Dr. Elka Noyar, who is the global CEO of DKMS, with whom I've had the pleasure of working the last few years, Dr. Johannes Shetelig, the director of medical research at DKMS and the head of the transplant program in dressed in Germany and even more special, Katerina Harf, the executive chairwoman of DKMS who was a daughter of Mechelharf, uh, Peter Harf's daughter, the first person at City of Hope to receive a transplant, as I said, it's, uh, from that registry was in 1994 and we have continued that tradition year after year.
The work like ours is borderless and it is global. So I like to ask, um, Elka and Johannes to stand, and I'm gonna invite Katerina to the stage to, uh, say a few things. So Elka, Yohannes.
So it is <laugh> my honor to introduce you and welcome Katharina Harf, our colleague, our friend, whose work along with Elka and Johannes and her father, Peter, made it possible for us to even be here today so we are very, very grateful. Okay? It's all yours.
Speaker 2:
Wait, you're leaving me? Steve, you leaving me?
Speaker 1:
No, I would never leave you.
Speaker 2:
Okay, so-
<laugh> I just really, I mean, I can't follow, uh, you know, much of the, uh, this beautiful speech and the tireless work you do. You are, I had the privilege to meet you many years ago and you're hands down one of the kindest human beings I've ever met who obviously truly saves lives. So I'm honored to be here today and yes, our first transplant, um, for City of Hope, our donor donated in 1994. Today, uh, 1,400 of DKMS donors have donated to patients from City of Hope and we really are only seeing that grow exponentially and, um, it wouldn't be possible unless we had this true, true partnership. I also have a special friend here, Marcel, who I know for 20 years when I started the DCMS US and he was at Sloan Kettering and I think Marcel being here, uh, in his leadership and Steve and his leadership only, it, it, I think it grew us even closer together and I think we're planning some amazing things for the future, hopefully together saving many more lives.
So thank you so much for having me for having DKMS here. Thank you.
Speaker 3:
Thank you. All right. Okay.
Speaker 1:
So today also demonstrates the ways in which we are bound together and are not limited by borders, age, gender, ethnicity, social status, wealth, or how you pray. Our work here at City of Hope and with DKMS is transcendent and is what binds us all to one another into the great human family. It is not lost on us here at City of Hope that we are successful because we are international and we are a program of immigrants. Our founding director was German. My boss is Dutch. Our HLA director is Georgian and I'm not talking about the South, I'm talking about the caucuses. <laugh> Our stem cell processing director is Chinese. Our transplant director's Japanese. Our director of our unrelated donor program is Syrian. Our senior leukemia directors are from South Africa, from Jordan and Italy and the leader of our pediatric program is Lebanese.
They sometimes think of me <laugh> as being the foreigner. <laugh> And they say, "You are. " And I say, "Why?" I say, "Because you're from Texas." <laugh> Okay. So the transplants that we perform with these donors are the most complex procedures that we do at City of Hope and involve the dedication of so many people, some of whom I want to acknowledge today. The first, as Katharina said, is Dr. Marcel VandenBrink, who is president of City of Hope and is our, uh, chief executive officer. He's also a renowned scientist and is actually a trained transplant physician and is the chair of the medical board of DKMS and thus another connection we have to that world. Our chairperson hematology is Dr. Eileen Smith who leads all the physicians and scientists in our department in clinical care and research, Dr. Guido Marcucci, Director of Leukemia Program, Dr. Rio Nakamura, the director of our bone marrow and stem cell transplant program, Dr. Manzer Almalki, who directs our unlated donor program and finds all these donors and with his staff identifies each donor for each patient who comes here, uh, for, for therapy.
So we're pleased that they are here today and also the directors of our programs in Atlanta, uh, Phoenix and Chicago, Dr. Tulio Rodriguez from Chicago, Leslie Papow from Atlanta, Jeffrey Scriber from Phoenix. And of course, Dr. Kedegenza Hadza leads the laboratory that does the DNA typing that identifies the best donor for our patients. So if I could ask all of them to stand because they really are the, the brains and work behind all of this, okay?
So together with our research coordinators and laboratory staff, Dr. Almalki and his physician associates, meticulous review every patient to find the ideal donor for them. They are our matchmakers and one of the unique aspects about the marriages that they arrange is that these marriages are very Catholic. They are lifelong, cannot be taken apart. <laugh> Um, there's no annulments in this church, okay? They are the first people I see when I come in in the morning and they are often here when I am leaving at night as their work because it's international does not have a clock. Um, they are among thousands of people who at the City of Hope make it in their own unique way contribute to the success about each person's transplant. So I'd like to ask them the coordinators who are part of that program who were here today to stand, uh, if they're, a lot of them are here.
I guess they are standing. Kenny. Okay. So this is their leader. This is ... Okay.
Okay. I often tell people, uh, you've heard me say this before, that when we go into a room to see a patient, it looks like there's just the patient, the family, and their doc in the room, but the truth is there are a thousand people in that room and I make sure that each patient knows that whatever you do in this place in many ways is part of the success we have with any patient in making it happen, that they can become hopefully cured and go on with their life. But finding the donor is only the beginning of that journey. Most importantly and the success of a transplant are our nurses and they are, as one patient described them, our angels in disguise whose skill and gentle hands embrace each patient on their journey. And as I shared last year, for us here at the City of Hope, we believe that angels don't wear wings, they wear nursing uniforms.
And as one of our patients also said, and in these particular times, maybe more truthfully, nurses should rule the world. <laugh> And we would all be better off if that was the case. So I like for them, this is, I, I somehow feel very comforted that they're all here with me when I do this speech. So these are nurses representing nurses throughout the whole institution in the clinics, in the hospital, in the research all over. So I'm just honored that they are all here with us. So please give them a, a round of applause, okay? So how, how has all this happened? Certainly it's from dedicated people who are bright and energetic and committed. I've said to Robert Stone, you know, my boss for many, many years, I know he knows this too, no one comes to work here accidentally. It's a real choice that people make and there's a certain culture here that you either blend in or frankly, you should leave, uh, because there's a way we take this creed seriously.
Um, but really what makes this possible, this culture that we have is the philanthropic spirit of the City of Hope that's led by Kristen Bertel. Over the years, I've come to appreciate even more deeply, even as I've aged and grown, that there's no aspect of City of Hope that's not been touched by her, her predecessors and her staff and the giving of generous donors who bravely and generously and in a very trusting way support our work. There's not a brick or a test tube or a pipette or a flower on this campus or ultimately any life saved that's not been made possible by the work that she and her staff do on behalf of all of us and our patients across what is now the whole country including Duarte, Orange County, Chicago, Phoenix and Atlanta. So I would ask, where is she? I would ask her to take out her Kleenex <laugh> and please stand up so that we can acknowledge her.
Okay. So when I talk about people being in the room with our patient, she's there too, as are her colleagues. Um, the other thing I wanna mention is really not just their work, but the donors who trust us. I think what I've learned over the years, not only can we not do our work without them, but they are really the bravest people around, uh, because, you know, we explain to them what we wanna do, um, and they believe in what we're doing and, and, and help us. I was at a, a meeting last week in San Diego where I had to introduce an award, somebody from Memorial, who really had done some ama- not in transplant, he did some amazing work in circulating DNA and in immunotherapy of, of colon cancer, not exactly related to what we do here. A- amazing work that like what we do has changed the whole practice of o- oncology and his first grants on both subjects were summarily rejected.
And I think we've had that experience too, where our best ideas are really made possible and go forward because of philanthropy and the donors who partner with us. Without them, there wouldn't be a B- BMT program at all and this space would be empty and barren and none of us would be here today. So I'm very grateful not just to Kristen and her, her staff, but to the donors who are here because I think for all of us who work here, we know that you are at our arm and we're very, very grateful to say the least. So the important part today. So on this special day, I'm pleased to introduce you to my colleague and friend, Dr. Vaiba Agarwal, actually worked in my lab, uh, uh, many years ago who has his own personal experience with leukemia and he will share with you the wonderful story of Lynn Lero who will meet Patrick Abud, a young man from North Carolina who saved her life.
Oka.
Speaker 4:
Hello, everyone. Thank you, Dr. Forman, for that warm introduction. I've been coming to City of Hope since I was a summer student in high school and watched my first BMT reunion here actually as a medical student. I stand here humbled and honored that I can share the story of my patient, Lynn Lero. I first met Lynn on November 29th, 2023 when she presented with a high white blood cell count and had symptoms of persistent headaches and was transferred to City of Hope. Lynn had just finished treatment for breast cancer, which she was diagnosed with in July 2022. It had been less than three months from finishing treatment from breast cancer when she was faced with the stark reality of a second cancer, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We connected right away when I shared with Lynn my own personal journey with the same leukemia. From the first meeting to now, Lynn has always demonstrated a strong sense of resilience and curiosity.
She always made sure to ask the right questions, taking the time to learn as much as she could about her disease, try to understand my thoughts and rationale behind choosing treatments and learn what to anticipate with these treatment. It took us a few attempts to control her disease and she ultimately benefited from CAR T-cells to get into remission. Lynn finally proceeded with her stem cell transplant on August 23rd, 2024 and is now one year, eight months from transplant.
She has done well and has been an absolute privilege and honor to see her recover and thrive in this journey. Through this experience, I have learned a lot about Lynn and have shared multiple conversations with both her and her husband, Tyler. They both come to clinic with this sense, with a sense of perpetual optimism and always have the trendiest dressing sense. <laugh> I've also learned a lot from Tyler and his journey from his perspectives as a caregiver. We have collectively shared hope, disappointment, anxiety, and now embrace continued recovery with the promise of cure. On behalf of the entire team involved in your care, thank you, Lynn, for letting me be part of your journey and thank you, Patrick, for your generation of stem cells to allow Je- Lynn's journey to continue onward with a second chance at life. At this time, I'd like to invite both Lynn and Patrick on stage to enjoy their moment.
Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 5:
Good morning, everyone. I feel so honored and happy and excited and so, so lucky to be here today. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Lynn Lero and I'm a breast cancer and leukemia survivor. I'd like to start.
Thank you. <laugh> Um, I'd like to start by saying thank you to the incredible staff and nurses and doctors. You are the reason City of Hope feels like a second home. Special thank you to the duo who know way too much about me, Dr. Agarwal and Nurse Practitioner Katie Sprague. <laugh> Thank you for not only taking care of me but for patiently answering my never ending list of questions and when I would spiral for kindly reminding me that we'll cross that bridge when we'll get there. Unfortunately, there have been a lot of terrible, scary bridges, but I never felt like I was alone, so thank you for always being by my side.
Thank you to my wonderful husband, my rock for being there day in and day out, my mom for being strong so I wouldn't have to get to my daughter for giving me a reason to keep fighting. Now the reason I'm here today, Patrick, as a young man, you signed up to be someone's hero and years later you received a call and you had the option to say no, but you didn't. You sacrificed your time for someone you had never met. You didn't just give me yourselves, you gave me hope, you gave me more life and you gave me more time.
From the moment I found out we were a match, I've dreamt of what I would say to you, but there's no words that can sufficiently describe how I feel. Because of you, I was able to see my daughter graduate high school. Because of you, I was able to celebrate my 40th birthday or 30th, whatever. <laugh> Because of you, I get to celebrate more wedding anniversaries. I'm able to make more memories with my family and friends. Every day that goes by, every holiday, every celebration, everything I get to check off my bucket list is because of you. I hope the universe blesses you 10 times over for your kindness and ges- generosity and from the bottom of my heart and behalf of everyone who loves me, thank you.
Speaker 1:
<laugh> We stock up on Kleenex for this occasion every time. <laugh> And so now I'd like to, I have the honor a- again, actually because of years past, I'm introducing Dr. Nicole Karas, a pediatric oncologist and transplant physician who will now introduce Vaughn Wilson to his donor, Johanna Seeger, who join his, who is joining us today coming from Dusseldorf, Germany, the home country of DKMS. So Nicole. Okay.
Speaker 6:
Thank you, Dr. Herman. Uh, that's a tough act to follow, but we'll see. Um, so on December 29th, 2022, Brian and Renee Wilson heard the words, "Your child has acute lymphoblastic leukemia for the second time. After months of bone pain, weight loss, and being unable to tolerate the long bike rides that he loved, Vaughn was diagnosed with leukemia, the same leukemia his sister had been diagnosed with a few years before. At just 15 years old, Vaughn, an avid skier, cyclist, hiker, and devoted dog lover found himself facing the fight of his life. He started intense chemotherapy but it wasn't enough to kill all the leukemia cells completely. He needed something stronger. That's when his family came to the Children's Cancer Center at City of Hope for an unrelated donor of bone marrow transplant to cure his leukemia.
During his time on our pediatric unit, Vaughn stood out not only for his resilience but for his spirit. Even in the face of difficult side effects, he maintained a sense of humor. At one point, saving some of his hair that had fallen off and taping it back on his head, bringing smiles to everyone around him. Unbeknownst Devon and his family a few days before his scheduled transplant day, then 21 year old Johanna Siga flew from her home in Germany to the Netherlands to donate her bone marrow to a teenager halfway around the world. Her thought was simple, "I have plenty." A quiet act of extraordinary generosity. And on July 25th, 2023, Jo- Johanna's marrow cells were transfused Yvonne, gifting him a new leukemia-free immune system. Almost three years later at 18, Vaughn is graduating high school, gonna go to the University of Utah. Hopefully that's not private information. <laugh>
Um, and embracing his active lifestyle by conquering mountains and long bike rides once again. The Wilson family has also generously donated or chosen to honor this gift by paying it forward, supporting research efforts at the Children's Cancer Center to help advance treatments for acute leukemia. Stories like Vaughns remind us what makes transplantation so extraordinary, not only the science but the humanity behind it. The willingness of on person to give so selflessly to another. It is now my great privilege to help bring this story full circle. For the first time, I would like to introduce Vaughn to his bone marrow donor, Joanna Siga. Come on out Aman and Yana.
Speaker 3:
I don't know how far I can get, but, um, I wanna start with Johanna. Um, I've never met you before but you shamed my life in more ways than you can imagine. <laugh> Um, there's really no way I'll ever be able to fully thank someone for this, but I hope you know how much it means to me and the people who care for me that you chose to do this. Um, I'd like to thank City of Hope and Dr. Karis and all the amazing other doctors for being a place more than just a hospital. Uh, a place of people who always showed up for everything I need and understood. Doctors like Dr. Karas and Dr. Cooper, Dr. Chang, Dr. Satarak, who I hiked Mount Whitney prior to my treatment with. Um, thank you for guiding me through something that felt impossible. Um, beyond doctors, the dozens of ... I'd like to thank the dozens of nurses who are there day and night.
Um, Lisa Gutierrez, Davis, who's maybe here somewhere for playing a mean foosball match with me. Uh, mouth care. <laugh> That was fun. Radiology, the survivorship clinic and all the people who kept my room clean and wheeled me around when I couldn't. Uh, I loved the chefs who cooked the spaghetti that I ate for a week straight after I could finally eat again. And outside of the hospital, I'd like to thank my friends Randy and ba- even baby dude the dog who was there inside the hospital with me. Um, yeah. So thank you. It means a lot. Yeah.
Speaker 1:
Thank
Speaker 3:
You. Yeah. Yeah, it's
Speaker 1:
Hard. I carry internships with us all the time. Thank you for helping me.
Speaker 5:
Of course.
Speaker 1:
That's why I try to get all my remarks in first <laugh> because there's just no way to easily follow anything, anything like which, w- what we've all witnessed, um, this morning. I'd sort of like to bookend this a bit. I talked about our nurses and our scientists and, and our fundraisers, but I do wanna make sure everybody knows and, and, and sees someone who is both dear to this institution and to me, uh, for over 30 years and that's the head of our organization, Mr. Robert Stone, who is here and who's here every year, uh, for us. This is his 30th reunion. Uh, coming up, uh, today I often say to him when I'm being very militant that he is the keeper of the flame. We look to him to, no matter how big we get, how extensive we are, that our essence is the same wherever, whether you walk into Duarte or Orange County, Chicago, Phoenix, Atlanta, you walk in, you know you're at City of Hope.
And I think part of his efforts for our growth have been to not just grow us, but to bring City of Hope to the nation and for that we're daily grateful for that. You need to ... So thank you all for coming. This, this concludes as our patient donor meeting and we're grateful to Vaughn and Lynn and their families for sharing what is, you know, this is a very private, very personal moment and yet they with such generosity like the others have, have done this in a completely public way and as somebody who is really private, I am in awe of what they allow us to, uh, to witness. And of course, we're grateful to Patrick and, uh, Johanna. Uh, it's just so fitting that Johanna comes from Dusadorf, you know, uh, and because of our relationship, DKMS being so deep and so long and as Katherina says, it's the best is yet to come.
So all of you are now part of our City of Hope family growing larger by the day and from my perspective, such a family can never be too big. We have enough love for all. We will see you all here next year as we celebrate the beginning of the next half century of the City of Hope. Have a wonderful day, everybody.