Blood

Children’s Minnesota is using a new medical therapy known as CAR T-cell therapy that could help kids with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have a better chance of survival.

Minneapolis, Minn. – (September 12, 2016) – More than 400 guests filled the Minneapolis Event Center on Saturday, September 10 for Children’s Minnesota’s Shine Bright Bash, raising more than $400,000 for Children’s Cancer Kids Fund.

Dr. Joanna Perkins, hematology-oncology physician at Children’s Minnesota, and cancer survivor Abby Hoyt, sat down with KARE-TV before the 2016 Shine Bright Bash to discuss pediatric cancer and blood disorders.

Children’s Minnesota is committed to supporting patients and families in our cancer and blood disorders program. Beyond providing the very best medical care, there are many services and amenities that provide extra care and comfort to kids and families in the midst of a cancer or blood disorders journey. These special services are made possible in large part through the Cancer Kids Fund. This fund is generously supported by community members, local businesses and benefit events hosted by or on behalf of Children’s. Here are some of the special ways that the Cancer Kids Fund may help make your family’s journey at Children’s a little easier.

Prothrombin gene mutation is an inherited condition that increases a person's chance of forming blood clots. It is known as a type of thrombophilia or blood clotting disorder, and is one of the second most common inherited blood clotting disorder. Most people with prothrombin gene mutation never develop abnormal blood clots.

Platelets are blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow and have several important functions, including helping the blood to clot when an injury or surgery occurs. Inherited platelet disorder is a term that covers a diverse set of very rare abnormalities of the platelets. Specific conditions include:

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a platelet disorder in which the body produces antibodies that bind with platelets that are the small, sticky cells of the blood that help the blood clot. The platelet-antibody complex is then destroyed in the spleen or liver. This can occur as a short-term event or can be chronic. Patients who have low platelet counts are more likely to have bleeding with trauma or surgery. Some evidence suggests that ITP is related to an overactive immune system; however, the cause is not clearly understood. The condition happens more frequently following certain viral infections and certain immunizations. It also can be associated with autoimmune disorders such as lupus.

A hemophilia carrier is a female who carries a genetic change for hemophilia. Hemophilia is an inherited condition in which blood doesn't clot normally, leading to prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery, or with menstruation Males with hemophilia may experience serious bleeding problems and may require lifelong treatment. Hemophilia carriers may have no bleeding problems, or they may experience bleeding which may affect health and quality of life.

There are a number of inherited, or genetic, blood conditions that may increase a person's chance of forming blood clots. One of the most common of these is factor V Leiden.

Blood clots are clumps of protein that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A clot that forms inside a blood vessel, is called a thrombus. Most of the time, clotting is a normal, healthy process that stops bleeding in a damaged area. Clots usually dissolve when the injured tissue has healed.