ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Specialists at the Adult Hematology and Transplant Center of the Clinical Hospital, affiliated with the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the National University of Asunción (FCMUNA), have announced the discharge of a 38-year-old female patient after a successful bone marrow transplant.

Fátima Saucedo, a native of Santa Rosa del Aguaray, San Pedro Department, had been battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, a refractory disease, for 15 years, and this bone marrow transplant was her definitive treatment.

Dr. Rodrigo Santacruz, head of the Adult Hematology and Transplant Center, explained that the patient had experienced several relapses and that a first transplant attempt in 2024 had failed due to technical difficulties. However, the second attempt in March 2025 was successful, and she was discharged without major complications on Monday, March 31st.

Saucedo, a court official and mother of two children aged 4 and 6, stated that she was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 after experiencing symptoms such as weight loss, night sweats, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck area. She underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and finally the bone marrow transplant. Upon her discharge, she plans to return to work and reunite with her family. Expressing her gratitude, she shared a message of encouragement for those fighting cancer: "Have faith, and with firm faith in God, everything is possible."

Dr. Santacruz emphasized that this case marks the 31st discharge in the FCMUNA University Hospital's allogeneic bone marrow transplant program, and that starting this year, they are implementing simultaneous transplant procedures to optimize the medical team's resources and improve organization. In fact, on the same Monday, March 31st, when Ms. Saucedo was discharged, another bone marrow transplant was in progress.

A multidisciplinary team comprising healthcare professionals from hematology, nursing, transfusion medicine, and nutrition participated in this successful transplant. The nursing team included nurse Ángela Ayala, along with hematology residents and Natalia Cazal, head of the blood bank, and nurse Lilian González, responsible for blood product support.

The pediatric hematology-oncology department (HOPE), led by professors Angélica Samudio, Dr. Sonia Gini, and Dr. Ofelia Lemir, collaborated in the cell collection process. Nutritional management was provided by nutritionist Noelia Lucini.