The youngest of four daughters, 25-year-old Alison Millerd comes from a close-knit family in Horseshoe Bay. A positive, happy and bright young woman, her life suddenly changed when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (AML) and underwent a stem cell transplant through VGH’s Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant (L/BMT) Program.

In gratitude, her family has donated money to support the Hematology Program at VGH (including the Hematology Research and Clinical Trials Unit), which focuses on improving outcomes for patients with blood diseases.

“We developed a strong respect and affection for the doctors and nurses,” says Don, Alison’s father. “And we wanted to acknowledge the sense of teamwork and cohesion we saw within the L/BMT inpatient and outpatient units.”

Their $330,000 donation is being used for patient care, research and staff education. Part of the money will fully fund the salary of the Hematology Cell Bank Coordinator for a year, an essential role in supporting research. Additional funds will go to purchase urgently needed automatic blood pressure cuffs, helping nurses and doctors more closely monitor acutely ill and unstable patients. Money will also help staff attend oncology conferences, so they’re better able to care for and support patients.

This gift is already having a profound impact on the health of patients and the morale of staff, allowing the Unit to offer excellent patient care and contribute to innovative research for patients with blood cancers like Ali’s.

As for Ali, she says she has “peace of mind” at VGH, knowing staff are there to care for her, and is planning to go to Capilano University to study early childhood education.

SIDE BAR STORY: ONE OF NORTH AMERICA’S TOP HEMATOLOGY 
We all need blood to live. Unfortunately, there are many diseases and disorders of the blood that can – and do – threaten to disrupt this vital life force.

One of the biggest culprits is cancer. In BC alone, there are approximately 2,000 new adult cases of blood cancer each year, a number which is increasing at an annual rate of 3 to 4%.

The good news is significant progress is being made in the battle against blood disease, and Vancouver is at the forefront of many of these advancements. In fact, the Hematology Division at VGH is one of the most comprehensive and well-regarded programs in all of North America, providing the highest standard of care to patients across BC and leading innovative, cutting-edge research through the Hematology Research and Clinical Trials Unit.

Support the Hematology Research and Clinical Trials Unit.