How Lucas Won the Battle Against Leukemia Using his Mother’s Cells
Lucas from Chile was 19 years old and dreaming of becoming a pilot or journalist when he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. After four years of unsuccessful treatments, his family discovered Sheba’s CAR-T therapy research program, a cutting-edge option available in only a few countries.
Despite the distance, cost, and uncertainty, Lucas traveled to Israel for this last hope. Sheba’s large open campus immediately felt welcoming compared to Chilean hospitals.
Innovative CAR-T Therapy with Donor Cells at Sheba
Despite prior immune-boosting treatment, Lucas’s lymphocyte levels were too low for standard CAR-T therapy which would have used his own cells. Led by Dr. Ronit Marcus, Sheba’s team proposed a rare solution: using donor cells from Lucas’s mother.
The donor cell approach for CAR-T is extremely rare, but Dr. Marcus’s confidence convinced Lucas and his mother to proceed. Family and friends in Chile raised funds for the treatment and Sheba coordinators provided The faster treatment, open environment, and Sheba’s focus on patient care brought comfort to him during challenges.
Life After Successful Leukemia Treatment
Today, Lucas is in remission, blogging his journey to inspire others. He found humor amid hardship and cherished small kindnesses from Sheba’s staff.
His advice for others facing leukemia: Never give up.
Other Stories
Breast Cancer Survivor Samantha’s Healing Journey at Sheba Medical Center
Samantha Kretzmar turned her breast cancer diagnosis into a journey of healing through photography at Sheba Medical Center. Facing the disease that claimed her mother, she found strength, expert care, and community support, captured in her “Side By Side” exhibition honoring Sheba’s doctors, caregivers, and fellow patients.
Oksana’s Fight Against Lung Cancer
Approaching her 70th birthday, Oksana faced a storm of uncertainty after an aggressive lung cancer misdiagnosis in Slovakia. Rejected by other hospitals and stalled by long waits, she left home for a second opinion at Sheba Medical Center in Israel.
Eman’s Story: CAR T-Cell Therapy for Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis at Sheba
For 20 years, Eman Halabi endured debilitating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that left her bedridden, in constant pain, and unable to perform basic tasks. When standard RA medications failed, Sheba Medical Center’s pioneering CAR T-cell therapy research program offered her a life-changing opportunity. Eman’s story showcases the transformative potential of CAR T-cell therapy for severe autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
