Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute Patient Discharged After Lifesaving Bone Marrow Transplant
February 06, 2025
Baton Rouge, LA – Hana Safah, MD, successfully performed an autologous bone marrow transplant two weeks ago at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute for the first time since she and Nakhle Saba, MD, brought their expertise to the Institute in October 2024—establishing the Hematologic Malignancy Cell Therapy program. The patient, Ed Carruthers, is sharing his journey of hope and healing, in conjunction with the exciting growth of cancer treatment options at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute and the Hematologic Malignancy Cell Therapy program.
Carruthers’s journey began with a back injury. His regular checkups and routine bloodwork related to that injury led to the eventual discovery of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects the bone marrow.
"I want to encourage others to take their health seriously,” Carruthers said. “Get those checkups, get your blood work done. If I had not done that I don’t know where I would be today.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to expanding cancer care across the region, the Cancer Institute has recently launched autologous stem cell transplantation and CAR-T therapy for blood cancers under its Hematologic Malignancy Cell Therapy program. These innovative therapies provide new hope for patients facing conditions like leukemia and multiple myeloma, which have high incidence rates in East Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.
"The availability of treatments like autologous stem cell transplantation and CAR-T therapy is a game changer for many of our patients,” Dr. Safah said. “We are thrilled to offer these groundbreaking therapies right here in Baton Rouge, giving patients in our region the access they deserve to the best care possible, without the need to travel long distances. Our goal is to continue expanding our blood cancer program and to recruit the best specialists in the field. We’re also excited to introduce new clinical trials, such as those for allogeneic CAR-T therapy, and are looking ahead to offering even more cutting-edge treatments for patients with solid tumors, including melanoma."
The Cancer Institute’s commitment to research and patient-centered care is further supported by plans to introduce clinical trials to test new treatments and explore the potential of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
Ed Carruthers’s journey is a testament to the importance of early detection, family support, and the advancements in cancer treatments available today. As he continues to recover and remains hopeful for the future, which includes getting back to his granddaughters and celebrating 50 years of marriage this July to his wife Ginny, he praises the dedicated care provided to him by Dr. Safah and the Cancer Institute.
"Dr. Safah and the entire team have been nothing but wonderful to me," Carruthers said. "Other than a sore rib, this procedure was a piece of cake for me. I can’t wait to fully recover and get back home to play with my two beautiful granddaughters.”
For more information about the cutting-edge treatments available at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, including stem cell transplantation and CAR-T therapy, click here.
About Our Lady of the Lake Health
Our Lady of the Lake Health is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with more than 7,500 employees committed to serving the Capital Region and building a healthy community through excellence in patient care and education. With an 800-bed Regional Medical Center, a dedicated Children’s Hospital, a 78-bed hospital in Gonzales, Louisiana, two freestanding emergency rooms in outlying parishes, and a 600+ provider Physician Group, Our Lady of the Lake Health provides comprehensive healthcare services for common to complex conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is a primary teaching site for graduate medical education programs in partnership with LSU, and is recognized in the areas of heart and vascular, trauma and emergency care, stroke, cancer care, minimally invasive procedures, and more. Our Lady of the Lake is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit ololrmc.com.