Leaven 10-16-15 Vol. 37 No. 11

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THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 37, NO. 11 | OCTOBER 16, 2015

Dr. Joseph McGuirk is the director of KU Medical Center’s division of hematologic malignancies and cellular therapeutics.

CELLULAR WON Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center in Kansas City, Kansas, proves that ethical and effective are a one-two punch that’s hard to beat. STORY BY JOE BOLLIG | PHOTOS BY DOUG HESSE

K

ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Dr. Joseph McGuirk strode purposefully through the Westwood Campus of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, chatting with a visitor about one of his favorite topics: treating the sick with stem cells.

HAPPY 100

McGuirk, a hematologist/oncologist, is director of the medical center’s division of hematologic malignancies and cellular therapeutics, part of the KU Cancer Center. Simply put, he works to cure people of blood cancers through stem-cell transplants. Restoring people to health and saving their lives gives him a tremendous sense of fulfillment.

St. Francis Xavier Parish in Mayetta celebrates its 100th anniversary. Page 3

“It’s indescribable,” said McGuirk. “To be trusted, and for people to have confidence in you is extremely humbling. And it’s a profound responsibility. “When things go well and you’re able to impact in a positive way in an absolutely devastating, terrible situation — some 18-year-old kid with leukemia, for example — that’s what it’s all about for us.” Halfway up a stairwell, McGuirk had an unexpected but joyful reunion with one of his patients, Rebecca Hertzog. “We took care of her when she had a very aggressive leukemia,” said McGuirk. “We got her cancer into remission, thank God. Unfortunately, she relapsed, and the only potential hope

MEMORIES

Former students and instructors reflect on 50 years of Savior of the World. Page 5

RESPECT LIFE MONTH

T

he Leaven launches its Respect Life Month coverage with this article on the many medical breakthroughs that adult stem-cell research have made possible. Watch for more Respect Life stories in upcoming issues of The Leaven.

for her was a stem-cell transplant.” The stem cells came from blood within the umbilical cord of a healthy mother and healthy newborn baby. The baby went to the nursery and the umbilical cord blood — which is normally thrown away — was saved and used to treat Hertzog. >> See “NOT” on page 8

NEW BEGINNING

Immaculata football was dead — until a partnership gave it new life. Page 16


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Leaven 10-16-15 Vol. 37 No. 11 by The Leaven - Issuu