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Blood and Marrow Transplantation Opens a New Outpatient Unit
The new outpatient Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT) unit is located within the outpatient Hematology/Oncology unit, right next door to the inpatient Hematology/Oncology unit on the 4th floor of the East Inpatient Tower. The new unit features four isolation exam and infusion rooms.
Patients undergoing blood and marrow transplants experience severely compromised immune systems. Everyday germs that pose no threat to healthy people can be extremely harmful to BMT patients, so reducing exposure is important. Some BMT patients can live at home during their treatment (taking precautions to avoid exposure and infection), and therefore can receive infusions and ongoing care in a setting that translates into shorter hospital stays, as well as less stress and anxiety for them and their families. The new clinic waiting room provides a space where BMT families can meet, share experiences, and give each other crucial support as they endure this journey while their children and teens are undergoing treatment.
The new unit is made possible with support from several members of the community, whose generosity provides a cheerful, dedicated location that is child and family friendly. Inspired to raise money for this project, more than 90 dads and sons from Beth El Synagogue in Bethesda and Kehilat Shalom Synagogue in Rockville shaved their heads to raise half of the funding for the expansion. Children’s Cancer Foundation and its Founder, Shirley Howard, understand the importance of innovative approaches to medicine; therefore they were proud to support this important project. The late Margaret Rifkind honored the memory of her husband Basil Rifkind, a physician, because she was inspired by patients formerly treated at Children’s National. The Post family made the initial gift to launch the visionary idea.
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