Earlier this year, 75-year-old James Williams celebrated his “second birthday.”
How’s that, you ask?
For blood cancer survivors at City of Hope, a second birthday commemorates the anniversary of their bone marrow transplant (BMT) — signifying a second chance at life.
Williams made history as the first BMT patient at City of Hope Atlanta’s Blood Cancer Center in April 2023. The Georgia native has been cancer-free, playing golf and enjoying retirement ever since. This spring, his care team hosted a surprise celebration to mark the one-year anniversary of the successful transplant.
City of Hope is the No. 1 provider of BMTs in the country, and that expertise is now available to many more patients coast to coast. Williams’ success story exemplifies why City of Hope is focused on expanding access to care, in addition to advancing science. The world’s greatest care is meaningless without access.
Supporters like you are accelerating our efforts to bring world-class care and breakthroughs to more people in more places. Since we became a national system of cancer research, care and prevention, philanthropic support has helped:
- Bring our renowned bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy programs to City of Hope cancer centers across four states.
- Launch the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute, which recently awarded its first Stephenson Global Prize, a $1 million annual award aimed at accelerating innovation for one of the world’s deadliest cancers.
- Expand supportive care services that treat body, mind and spirit, including a beautiful new spiritual care center at City of Hope Orange County.
- Bring hope to more people like Arizona breast cancer survivor, Karyn Corbett. If you haven’t already, please sign up to join me, Corbett and thousands of other survivors and City of Hope supporters at one of our Walk for Hope events this fall.
There are so many examples of expanded access in action — and more to come!
Later this year, look for exciting news about expanded clinical trials at all locations as well as the opening of a new specialty cancer hospital in Orange County, California.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support. Hope is closer than ever when we work together.
With gratitude,
Kristin J. Bertell
Chief Philanthropy Officer