Blood Disorders

Multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are two blood cancers that are known to devastate the human immune system. In this program, Bart Barlogie of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, Michael Keating of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and other medical experts explore how breakthroughs in chemotherapy and other treatments including stem cell transplants can aid remission of multiple myeloma and CLL. The efforts of educational foundations to increase awareness, provide vital information and support to patients, and fund new research are also spotlighted. (23 minutes)

In Germany, more than 4 million pints of blood are donated annually. Nearly 900,000 more pints per year are required to satisfy the transfusion needs of German hospitals. How will this gap be closed? Blood-economizing measures used by surgeons and some of the research efforts to create synthetic blood are the focus of this program. A scientist is filmed in Mexico working with the hemoglobin from pig's blood to treat diabetes-related sores. Next, an anesthesiologist explains the technique of presurgical blood withdrawal and thinning for patients undergoing major operations. Research regarding the effects of the hormone EPO on mice concludes the program. Contains surgical scenes of a graphic nature. Not available in French-speaking Canada. (26 minutes)