Courtney Saenz reported on the following story about Dorcus
Osho, RN and Dr. Idowu (pictured above).
"Osho recalls her childhood as being limited,
surrounded by her parents and teachers who would take extensive precautions to
prevent triggers of pain and keep her safe. She regularly visited the hospital
for countless blood transfusions and for treatment of infections that routinely
impacted her."
“It was soul-crushing, because I couldn’t partake in
sports or run as fast as the other kids. I was told not to do anything that
involved physical activity,” Osho said.
Transitioning from children’s care to adult care was
difficult for Osho while attending college. She made it her goal to find a
doctor who was actively researching new ways to treat sickle cell disease in
patients. While working as a nurse, she cared for a man who had the same
condition and he recommended Modupe Idowu, MD, a hematologist at UTHealth
Houston and medical director of the UT Physicians Adult Sickle Cell Center,
which provides care for patients living with sickle cell disease.
“When I transferred to Dr. Idowu at UT Physicians, it was
like I saw the light again,” Osho said.
"Under Idowu’s care, Osho joined a Phase II clinical
drug trial that is researching a hemoglobin S polymerization inhibitor drug
called GBT021601. The next-generation inhibitor drug is intended to bind
hemoglobin, an oxygen-transport protein, to help red blood cells hold on to
more oxygen to keep their shape stable and prevent them from collapsing into a
sickle form."
To learn more about the clinical trial visit: At
the Bedside: Nurse with sickle cell disease joins clinical drug trial and finds
energy she’s never had before - UTHealth Houston
Cheers!
Donna
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