fb a THE undergoing chemotherapy and ability to replenish the blood bone marrow transplantation system by producing red and were completely isolated," said white blood cells, plasma and Dr. Klein. "Everyone donned platelets. These stem cells used to be har- surgical masks and gloves be- fore entering a patient's room vested in a surgical procedure. because chemotherapy left pa- Donors, under anesthesia, would • tients without any immunity or have their bone marrow extract- /- ability to fight common germs. ed from various locations in the There were even some patients hip. Blood stem cells, by contrast, who had to live in a sterile, bub- are often harvested through ble-like environment. We don't apheresis, a short nonsurgical pro- need to isolate these patients cedure similar to donating blood anymore because the facility has in which blood is removed from a special filtration system which the donor, separated, a portion is removes contaminants from the retained, and the rest is returned to the donor. air. "Collecting a patient's own "The unit was designed to sup- C, port patients and their families as blood stem cells is less invasive • well as provide a safe environ- and less expensive than collect- ment, which usually translates ing bone marrow and the results into a more comfortable and are as good or better when the blood is later administered," says speedier recovery. "In addition, we've been able Dr. Klein. "Moreover, a patient to keep up some of their treat- can donate several times until a ment schedule as outpatients sufficient volume of stem cells because of the nature of the has been collected. `The fact is, isolating and col- treatment." Actually, the term "bone marrow transplant" is lecting stem cells is revolutioniz- \ somewhat a misnomer. ing the transplant process • Attention now is more focused because we can be more aggres- sive about treating on the blood stem cell, the cell which creates all of Dr. Ja red Klein breast cancer patients, conf ers with the body's blood products. Stem cells have a unique nurse Margaret FIGHTING page 68 Flowers. PG Tie Premier retirement Community That Has It ACC Self Defense for Seniors Tuesday, April 1St at 1:30 PM Jaye Spiro, Director of Mejisha Martial Arts in Femdale Consumer Health Fraud Tuesday, April 8th at 1:30 PM Evelyn DeNike, Consumer Affairs Specialist with the Food & Drug Administration Weeping Fit and In Shape Tuesday, April 15th at 1:30 PM Myrna Partrich & Sharon Gibson of The Workout Company in Bloomfield Hills the New Age After 60 Tuesday, April 29th at 1:30 PM Mira Linder, of Mira Linder in Southfield & author of Beauty Begins at 60 Seats are limited. Please R.S.V.P. with Libby at 810.352.4316 24111 Civic Center Drive • Southfiefd• Mic*an048034 810.352.4316 Early Detection Breast changes to watch for include lumps, pain and nipple dis- charge and are very common. Half of all women become concerned enough at one time or an- other to see a physician about a breast change. Although one of eight women will develop breast cancer, when the disease is de- tected early, the majority of women survive it. When setting up an appointment, be prepared to tell your doc- tor: • When you found the lump. • The date of your last period. • If you've had nipple discharge. • About any previous breast problems. • The size of the lump and whether its gotten smaller or larger. • The medications you're taking. • Your family history. • Whether you've had a breast biopsy in the past. Places to shop in and places to drop in. Places to plant and places to paint. Places to build and places to play. Places to learn and places to grow. Places to walk and places to workout in. Places to dine in and to recline in. Places for friends and places for family. Our place full of choices is the choicest of places. 'A unique rental community for individuals age 62 and up. THE FOUNTAINS 28301 Franklin Road • Southfield, Michigan 48034 • (810) 353-2810 Next time you feed your face, think about your heart. Go easy on your heart and start cutting back on foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. The change'II do you good. V American Heart Association WERE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE AT FRANKLIN