More than 300 patients, caregivers, health care professionals, researchers, donors, and supporters gathered Friday, Aug. 7, at The Barn at Ackerhurst Dairy Farm in Bennington to celebrate “Trailblazing a Decade of CAR T-Cell Therapy: 10 Years of Innovation at Nebraska Medicine and UNMC.”

Hosted by Nebraska Medicine, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and the Nebraska Medicine | Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, the event marked 10 years of innovation and patient impact through CAR T-cell therapy – a treatment that has transformed care for many patients.

Guests enjoyed dinner, networking, and a program highlighting the evolution of CAR T-cell therapy and its impact on patients and families. Featured speakers included:

• Matt Lunning, DO, FACP, chief of hematology, medical director, Gene and Cellular Therapy, assistant vice chancellor of research
• Kim Schmit-Pokorny, director, Blood and Marrow Transplant, CAR T-cell program
• Susan Blumel, research nurse manager, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office
• And several patients who shared their impactful stories about their CAR T-cell treatment
   

“The event was about recognizing the people who built this program, celebrating the patients who entrusted us with their care, thanking the partners who believed in our vision, and inspiring the next generation who will take gene and cellular therapy further than any of us can imagine,” said Dr. Lunning.

One of the evening’s patient speakers, lymphoma survivor Nick Howe, shared his perspective on the impact of treatment and the care he received.

“The courage shown not only by clinical staff but also by clinical trial participants is what makes the future possible,” Howe says. “We must become comfortable facing the unknown and trusting our teams to keep chasing breakthroughs as we move closer to the finish line for a cure.”

The evening honored the many people who have contributed to the success of the CAR T-cell program while looking ahead to the next generation of cellular therapy breakthroughs. The celebration concluded with live music from local musician Tyler Anthony.