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Patient Stories Kathy Folk, first Car T-cell therapy outpatient in Nebraska

Leading the way in malignant hematology
The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is a recognized leader in cellular therapies such as stem cell transplants, bone marrow transplants and CAR T-cell therapy, treatments that harness the body’s own cells to fight cancer.
Patient Stories Kathy Folk

Millard woman becomes Nebraska's first outpatient CAR T-cell patient
Kathy Folk never expected to become a medical pioneer. But 13 years after her cancer diagnosis, Folk made history as Nebraska’s first outpatient CAR T-cell therapy patient.
Patient Stories Matt Lunning, MD; Jan Janisch-Hanzlik; Rana Zabad, MD at press conference

Nebraska Medicine patient is first in the world to receive new therapy for multiple sclerosis
Jan Janisch-Hanzlik had been having strange symptoms for several years, was diagnosed with MS, and referred to Rana Zabad, MD. Dr. Zabad offered her a new option: enrollment in a first-of-its-kind clinical trial using allogeneic CAR T-cell therapy.
Patient Stories Chad Stevens traveled from his home in eastern Idaho in mid-October for an infusion with a gene therapy for hemophilia B. Here, he is overseen by Sarah Steffes, infusion staff nurse lead.

Nebraska Medicine administers novel gene therapy to first hemophilia patient
After more than four decades of infusing himself with the blood clotting factor his body can’t make, Chad Stevens decided it was time to try something new.
Patient Stories Bruce Sheffield, MD, patient, with Matt Lunning, DO, hematologist

Endowed researcher fund supports lifesaving care provided by the Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program
When the Nebraska Medicine Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023, Bruce Sheffield, MD, was there. Dr. Sheffield is one of the thousands of patients who have benefitted from the program’s success.
Conditions and Services Matthew Lunning, DO and patient Maria Alvarran, accompanied by a medical interpreter.

Transforming the language of care
Maria Alvarran travels from Sioux City, Nebraska, every three months to visit the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Alvarran is helping research be the best it can be. How? By bringing diversity to potential cancer therapies. Alvarran doesn’t speak English.
Conditions and Services Lymphoma cells

Warning signs of lymphoma
Our immune system is an unseen engine that is always idling, waiting to shift gears in the face of an infection. However, if the body’s immune transmission goes wrong, lymphoma may arise.
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