UVA Reports Success in Stem Cell Transplants Using Non-Controversial Procedure
Two patients with acute leukemia are responding well to the first stem cell transplants in Virginia. As Charles Fishburne reports, the procedures were performed at UVA using cells from the umbilical cord following a birth, a procedure that avoids the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell research.
Correction:
Massey Cancer Center, Not UVA Was First in the State in Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Transplants
Friday, we reported that UVA Medical Center had claimed to be first in the state to succeed in umbilical cord, stem cell transplants. Subsequently, we have learned that is not the case. A spokesman for VCU’s Massey Cancer Center has confirmed that it did the first such procedure in 2003 and has done 31 since. UVA regrets the error. And so do we. The programs at both universities avoid the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells and offer life-saving treatment for many blood-related diseases.
Since Mr Fishburne felt the need to report directly from a UVA marketing department press release I feel it necessary to note that a simple internet search would have discovered that VCU Massey Cancer Center's Bone Marrow Transplant Program actually performed the first umbilical stem cell transplant in Virginia in 2003 and has done dozens more since then.
Kathryn... You are so right! Following your comments, I talked with a spokesperson for the Massey Cancer Center, who confirmed that they did such a procedure as early as 2003 and have done 31 since. We have run a correction on the air during the time slot when the original story ran. I understand your frustration and disappointment that the staff at the Massey Cancer Center was not properly credited with the fine work they have been doing for so many years. Incidentally, I have great trust in the public relations people at both UVA and VCU. I especially admire those who can take a complex medical, technical or scientific subject and reduce it to three or four paragraphs that even I can understand. Clearly this time, something went awry. UVA regrets the error and so do I.
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