Global Search
As a semi-pro football player, he was tough, a punishing running back in the mold of the Chicago Bears’ Walter Payton. As a marine, he was brave, completing a tour of duty in the Gulf War during his eight years of service.
Ekong Udoh needed toughness and bravery to battle another dangerous opponent. In late 2002, at the age of 35, Ekong awoke with severe back pain. “I thought I had injured myself in the weight room,” Ekong said. “I was surprised when I was sent to an oncologist.”
He soon learned he had a rare type of blood cancer. “Ekong’s leukemia was extremely aggressive. This type typically is not cured after chemotherapy,” explained Tulio Rodriguez, MD, medical director of High Dose Therapy Unit, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Health System. “We developed a treatment plan that would allow Ekong to receive a stem cell transplant in the future.”
Loyola's Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program is the largest in Illinois, having performed more than 1,900 transplants. It has a specialized inpatient intensive care unit supported by a comprehensive outpatient transplant program dedicated to stem cell transplant. Dr. Rodriguez and his three physician colleagues deliver highly specialized care that leads to better patient outcomes.
Loyola also has a full-time staff performing global searches for stem cell donors, and an on-site lab to process blood samples received from around the world. “Part of our success is our experience in selecting the best donor for each patient,” Dr. Rodriguez said. “We are able to find a match for three out of four patients, which is an extremely high success rate.”
Following extensive chemotherapy, Ekong still needed a stem cell transplant to increase his likelihood of a cure. Stem cells come from three sources: stem cells from the patient (not an option for Ekong), bone marrow stem cells from a donor, or blood from umbilical cords. With no relatives providing a match for Ekong, Loyola searched the world for potential donors. In the summer of 2003 a cord blood match was found. “I assume that the donor is from Africa since both of my parents are from Nigeria,” Ekong said.
“Ekong demonstrated tremendous perseverance,” Dr. Rodriguez remembered. “The median survival for patients with his disease is barely two years. We saw how difficult his case was and decided to offer him this hope for a cure. Ekong agreed.” Dr. Rodriguez performed the life-saving transplant. Every member of our BMT Program was involved, from social workers to nursing staff and physicians.”
“Everyone treated me with compassion,” Ekong said. “They got to know me on a personal level. It showed they were sincerely concerned about me.”
Nearly six years later, Ekong is a cancer survivor. His battle has inspired him to make a difference. In addition to working full time, he now coaches youth football, volunteers as a food bank driver and promotes cord blood donations among mothers and doctors. “If enough people donate, many sick people can be cured,” Ekong says.
For more information on Loyola’s stem cell program and other approaches to fighting cancer, or to schedule an appointment, please call (888) LUHS-888 and ask for the CAN-HELP Cancer Information Service.
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
