Hematology/Oncology Dept at Children's Hospital Oakland

"Dr. Z and Dr. C get some one on one time with the legendary sickle cell physician, Dr. Elliott Vichinsky. We talk about who Dr. Vichinsky is and how he became a legend, transforming the field forever." https://www.bloodstreammedia.com//cheat-codes-25-sickle-ce

We are sad to share this news about Camp Okizu. Please read below.

September is both Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness month. We celebrate all of our patients and their families who support them day in and day out!

At noon today (PDT) Dr. Vichinsky will give a talk about the history of sickle cell disease at this online World Sickle Cell Day event. Register here: https://whova.com/portal/registration/wscd_202006/

Tune in LIVE this morning at 10 am for our VIRTUAL St Baldrick's shave event! Some of our oncology nurses and doctors will be shaving their heads. Donations: https://bit.ly/bravetheshave20 Live at 10am: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjn42Pu1FqY&feature=youtu.be

When I first started dating, I would tell the person, ‘Oh, I just have to go to the hospital to take care of some things, but don’t worry about it. I just have a blood condition that requires that I’m in the hospital all day on Fridays.’ That’s it, no further details needed. As I got older, and relationships lasted longer, I would divulge more information. A lot of them would be supportive and come with me to doctor’s appointments. Usually their first thought was: everything... seems very normal until it isn’t until you see a mediport, or you see a bag of blood hanging. And suddenly the person you know as really outgoing and goofy and funny is a patient who has a mediport, who is at the mercy of having to sit for 4-6 hours receiving blood. Usually, I remind them that I am still the outgoing and funny person that they know, and this is just one aspect of my life. It’s not all blood transfusions and medication, there’s a lot of things in between. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jesse is also a patient advocate and runner who raises awareness for rare blood disorders by participating in long-distance races. Read more about his story and work here: https://rareundiagnosed.org/running-for-run-taking-awarene/ ============================================= During the COVID-19 pandemic, our blood supply has decreased dramatically. Blood donations are crucial so that people with thalassemia and other blood disorders can not only survive, but thrive. Make an appointment to donate blood at your local Bay Area donation center today: Call 1-877-258-4825 or visit bloodheroes.com

Mom: G was so little and such a hard poke that it took multiple tries to do his IV. And we were like, ‘Is this going to happen every single time? Is this his future?’ Dad: I think the turning point with the IV pricks was when it turned into, like, ‘Why don’t we get him involved?’ He just wanted to be involved in it. Like he would clean up the Emla, and he would hold the rubber thing for his arm. He became part of the process. Mom: We have to thank Debbie, she’s the retir...ed nurse from the hospital. Dad: And Diane, too! Mom: Diane, too! That was the start of him turning around with the IVs. They were like, ‘You know what, let him watch. Don’t turn his head away.’ It stopped being scary. G: I LIKE transfusions! There’s a game there! I want to play all the time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- During the COVID-19 pandemic, our blood supply has decreased dramatically. Blood donations are crucial so that people with thalassemia and other blood disorders can not only survive, but thrive. Make an appointment to donate blood at your local Bay Area donation center today: Call 1-877-258-4825 or visit bloodheroes.com

In India where I was born, it was not easy to get blood. My mom used to ask college students, like, ‘Brother, can you donate blood for my daughter? She has thalassemia.’ As long as we brought a donor to the blood bank, we could trade it in for blood matching my type. My mom would also volunteer at the blood bank so she could get the first blood. You know how people wait in lines now for toilet paper? Well it was the same thing for blood. We used to think I would die at age 1...2. But when we moved to the US, we realized I could get blood regularly no matter what because people would always donate. I could realize all my goals and dreams here, as long as I got transfusions and chelated. Now, I want to become a nurse because I have thalassemia. All the nurses here, the way they’ve treated me I want to treat patients one day, just like that. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- During the COVID-19 pandemic, our blood supply has decreased dramatically. Blood donations are crucial so that people with thalassemia and other blood disorders can not only survive, but thrive. Make an appointment to donate blood at your local Bay Area donation center today: Call 1-877-258-4825 or visit bloodheroes.com

Jim Feusner with oncology team making rounds in 2002 lorraine champion md connie grass social work msw,Barbara Beach md Linda Zislin rn and Gen Cotroneo Rn

Mark Walters with Ben on 5 south bmt unit in 2003 .Mark established the children’s transplant program in march 2000 Soon after cured Justine the first alpha thal major cure He continues to follow his path of ‘lab bench to bedside to cure as ‘ quoted in 2003 in children’s handprints newsletter

Many individuals in our community depend on a stable blood supply to survive. If you can, make an appointment to donate at your local blood donation center today! Call 1-877-258-4825 or visit https://www.bloodheroes.com/

During these challenging times, it is good to know there is a new sheriff in town and her name is Penny... Her stethoscope is out and ready for use! (thank you to mom Andrea for sharing these pics with us)

Happy Doctors' Day!