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Hopkins slated to get transplant next week
Former JM standout Hopkins scheduled to undergo transplant to combat his non-Hodgkins lymphoma
Date published: 7/31/2008
BY TAFT COGHILL JR. Two unsuccessful bone marrow drives didn't cause Cedric Hopkins to lose faith. Hopkins, 19, was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkins lymphoma in August 2007. The Fredericksburg resident and former James Monroe High School basketball standout learned he needed a bone marrow transplant to survive earlier this year. A bone marrow drive was held for Hopkins in April and May of this year, but neither produced an appropriate match. However, Hopkins recently received word from his doctors that he can have a transplant using the umbilical cord blood stem cells of a newborn baby instead of bone marrow stem cells. Hopkins will enter VCU Medical Center on Monday for three days of full-body radiation treatment, followed by a day of rest next Thursday. If all goes well, Hopkins will undergo the cord blood transplant next Friday. "I'm excited," Hopkins said yesterday. "This is what I've been waiting for." Hopkins has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He was originally scheduled to begin the transplant procedures last Monday, but was dealing with complications from having two teeth pulled. Hopkins' mother, Maggie, is cautiously optimistic the cord blood procedure will extend her son's life. It was first used 20 years ago. The recovery time is longer than that of a bone marrow transplant and the risk of infection is also higher, according to a report on marrow.org. Umbilical cord blood is typically used when an appropriate bone marrow match could not be found. Maggie Hopkins said the blood that will be used for her son came from two newborns. "The only thing I'm kind of concerned about is if his body accepts it," Maggie Hopkins said. "That's a major thing that's concerning me because it's not 100 percent that his body will accept it." Cedric Hopkins is expected to spend four to six weeks at VCU Medical Center following the transplant. After the recovery period, he must live with his uncle in Caroline County for three to six months because doctors want him no longer than 30 minutes away from the Richmond hospital in case of emergency. But for Cedric Hopkins that's a small sacrifice. He said his spirits have remained high throughout his illness, and that he's appreciative of the support he's received from the Fredericksburg community so far. His mother said he's going to need a lot of prayer in the coming weeks. Cedric Hopkins said he's already received plenty of well-wishes. "I just appreciate everything," he said. "I really appreciate people coming out to my two bone marrow drives. I just appreciate everybody looking out for me and keeping me in their prayers." Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Date published: 7/31/2008
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