Hearts of Hematology
Anika Patel
Fourth-Year Medical Student
ASH Trainee Council
Aspiring Hematologist / Oncologist
Creighton University School of Medicine, Arizona
It is with great pleasure that the ASH Trainee Council introduces Hearts of Hematology (HoH), an anthology of hematology-related stories of love, loss, and hope to be posted on ASH’s social media channels, specifically Instagram and LinkedIn. In creating a space to reflect together on shared experiences, we hope to showcase all the unique aspects of a career in this field, while revealing where the hearts of hematologists and oncologists truly lie.
The stories we have collected for the first edition of HoH are incredibly raw and have made it abundantly clear that, no matter what stage in your life or career, there is something for each of us in these stories. The authors represent all levels of training: from students recently introduced to hematology and eager to explore their newfound interest to seasoned physicians and scientists reflecting on the riveting ways the field has grown, and the roles they played in that evolution. Perspectives from a broad range of careers within hematology and medical oncology will be showcased, including adult, pediatric, classical, malignant, research, and clinical — all through the lens of a diverse group of individuals. Topics also range broadly, encompassing physician-patient relationships, global perspectives, diverse career paths, work-life balance, advocacy, mentorship, and more.
To illustrate one of many types of stories and styles of writing you can expect to read, here is a snippet of a piece by pediatric hematologist oncologist Kyle Davis, MD, of the Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center, titled “You Can Always Pay Forward” ~ Woody Hayes. His full story, along with stories from other authors, will soon be posted on ASH’s social media channels.
Flash. Blood fills the thin tubing of a 25-gauge needle before injecting factor VIII, and so begins a day in the life of a pediatric resident with hemophilia A.
From my perspective, there are three broad generations of people with hemophilia living today: those who were alive in the early 1980s who were directly impacted by HIV/AIDS, those born in the 1990s prior to the implementation of prophylactic hemophilia treatment, and those born in the late 2010s who have access to subcutaneous non-factor therapy emicizumab. Patients with hemophilia unfortunately helped the world learn that HIV/AIDS could be transmitted through blood and factor transfusions. Treatment for their hemophilia would ultimately end their lives early. Nearly all of my mentors in the hemophilia community died of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, or bleeding complications due to lack of safe treatment.
I was often on crutches at school, wore a never-ending series of bruises on my forehead, and received many factor infusions in our local ER.
By age 15, I felt guilty that my dad was waking up at 5:30 a.m. to give me my factor before school, so I learned to give myself my own IVs.
Where can you first see these stories?
HoH stories will be posted on ASH’s social media channels starting in November. Look out for the hashtag #HeartsofHeme. Additionally, join us for the Hearts of Hematology debut at a 2024 ASH Annual Meeting interactive event on Friday, December 6, 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM, at in the Gaslamp Quarter during ASH-a-Palooza. Come participate in an intimate, directed discussion, listen to some of the authors share their stories, and have the chance to share some of your own. Space is limited, so arrive early to ensure a seat and to mingle prior to the event starting.
How can you share your story with the hematology community? If you’re interested in contributing to Hearts of Hematology, please reach out to [email protected].
Ms. Patel indicated no relevant conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgment: This article was edited by Drs. Kolton Smith and Alfred Lee.