Advances in Stem Cell Transplants offer Hope to Hundreds Previously Denied

The controversy surrounding the origin of stem cells has overshadowed the positive advances that have been made in autologous (self-donated) stem cell transplants. Contrary to popular belief, autologous stem cell transplants outpace donor transplants 2:1, yet little information on autologous transplantation is made available to the public and to the hundreds of patients who could potentially benefit from the procedure.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADVANCES IN STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS OFFER HOPE TO HUNDREDS PREVIOUSLY DENIED

Boynton Beach, FL -- August 01, 2002 - Dipnarine Maharaj, M.D., Medical Director of the South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute, is concerned that the controversy surrounding donated stem cells will overshadow the positive advances that have been made in his specialty, autologous stem cell transplantation. Contrary to popular opinion, autologous bone marrow/stem cell transplants (BMTs) outpace donor transplants two to one, providing hope to hundreds of patients who were previously denied a transplant because a suitable donor could not be found.

Roselind Powell, a spokesperson for the Institute, explains that the negative aspects associated with BMTs that are performed in the hospital are significantly reduced when a patient is treated in a totally outpatient system. Powell states that feelings of isolation that are commonly associated with prolonged confinements, the increased risk for nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections, and the issues associated with insurance reimbursement regarding extended hospital stays for inpatients, are all positively impacted for the autologous BMT patient treated in a totally outpatient program.

Dr. Maharaj developed the model for the totally outpatient autologous BMT program and is considered a pioneer in his field. With over 20 years experience, practicing in Europe and the United States, Dr. Maharaj has performed over 500 adult autologous BMTs. In the mid-90s he established BMT centers in Florida which, considered innovative, still required hospital stays. In 1997 he developed the model for the first totally outpatient BMT center in the state of Florida.

The South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institutes statistics support Dr. Maharajs theory that BMT patients can be safely and successfully treated on a totally outpatient basis. The Institutes most recent figures indicate that at 100 days post-transplant there was a zero percent mortality rate; that only one patient required a four day hospitalization; and that two patients were admitted for 24-hour observation.

The South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute offers the only totally outpatient autologous BMT program in the state of Florida. The Institutes team, headed by Dipnarine Maharaj, M.D., is comprised of staff that includes: transplant physicians, laboratory personnel, chemotherapy/transplant nurses, psycho-social and nutritional consultants and administrative personnel who operate out of a 4,000 sq. ft. facility located in Bethesda Health City.

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The South Florida Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Institute, 10301 Hagen Ranch Road, Suite 600, Boynton Beach, FL 33437, (Phone) 561.752.5522,
(Fax) 561.752. 5446, (Website) www.bmscti.org

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