Brand Insights Advancing hope through bone marrow transplant expertise At 53, Barb Gargano was burning the candle at both ends as a member of the "Sandwich Generation," balancing the needs of her children and caring for her father while working full-time in a senior role at a global company. Life was busy, full and familiar - until June 2024, when a doctor's appointment for a severe case of COVID-19 led to the discovery of a five-inch tumor on Barb's adrenal gland and a diagnosis of Stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Barb started treatment at a local hospital, but after an extended hospital stay and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, her care team told her they had exhausted their options. Refusing to give up hope, the Chicago-area resident sought a second opinion from City of Hope Cancer Center in Lake County, where hematologic oncologist Tulio Rodriguez, M.D., presented her with three new treatment options to consider. Barb and her team opted to move forward with an autologous stem cell transplant, which uses state-of-the-art technologies to replace unhealthy blood cells with stem cells from a patient's own body. This month, Barb is celebrating her one-year remission milestone. She is back at work doing the job she loves, enjoying time with family and friends, and embracing each day with her mantra of "staying in the moment." "City of Hope really was a 'City of Hope," she said. "My doctors never gave up." HOPE Barb's journey is a powerful reflection of how advanced cellular therapies - delivered with a deeply compassionate, whole-person approach - can restore hope and healing, all close to home for Chicago-area patients. Longstanding local and national expertise "City of Hope has been a pioneer in the field of bone marrow transplantation," Presented by City of Hope Cancer Center The longstanding FACT-accredited bone marrow and stem cell transplant center at City of Hope Cancer Center is part of one of the longest-running and highest-volume bone marrow transplant programs in the United States, which recently celebrated its 50-year milestone. Powered by a world-renowned National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center in California, City of Hope's national program is consistently recognized by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research as exceeding national patient outcome expectations. A MILESTONE CELEBRATION First transplant performed at City of Hope's Duarte campus: May 1976 50th anniversary celebration: May 2026 Number of transplants performed since 1976: 20,000+ City of Hope is at the forefront of blood cancer research both locally and nationally, currently enrolling patients in multiple clinical trials - including several for which it was the sole participating location in Illinois at the time of launch. City of Hope Cancer Center was also named in U.S. News & World Report's 2025-26 ratings as high performing in the field of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The City of Hope difference The stem cell transplant program at City of Hope Cancer Center is defined by a level of expertise, innovation and a whole-patient approach to care, highlighted by offerings including: Symptom management through various supportive care services such as nutritional support and behavioral health counseling Expertise in preventing, managing and treating graft-versus-host disease, a serious condition in which donor stem cells attack the patient's healthy cells after a transplant An inpatient unit created with a stem cell patient's comfort and safety in mind for extended stays, as well as on-site hotel rooms for caregivers and loved ones A strong survivorship program, ensuring any potential long-term effects are addressed said Dr. Rodriguez. Scan the QR code or visit cityofhope.org/chicago to learn more about City of Hope Cancer Center. Brand Insights Advancing hope through bone marrow transplant expertise At 53 , Barb Gargano was burning the candle at both ends as a member of the " Sandwich Generation , " balancing the needs of her children and caring for her father while working full - time in a senior role at a global company . Life was busy , full and familiar - until June 2024 , when a doctor's appointment for a severe case of COVID - 19 led to the discovery of a five - inch tumor on Barb's adrenal gland and a diagnosis of Stage 4 non - Hodgkin's lymphoma . Barb started treatment at a local hospital , but after an extended hospital stay and multiple rounds of chemotherapy , her care team told her they had exhausted their options . Refusing to give up hope , the Chicago - area resident sought a second opinion from City of Hope Cancer Center in Lake County , where hematologic oncologist Tulio Rodriguez , M.D. , presented her with three new treatment options to consider . Barb and her team opted to move forward with an autologous stem cell transplant , which uses state - of - the - art technologies to replace unhealthy blood cells with stem cells from a patient's own body . This month , Barb is celebrating her one - year remission milestone . She is back at work doing the job she loves , enjoying time with family and friends , and embracing each day with her mantra of " staying in the moment . " " City of Hope really was a ' City of Hope , " she said . " My doctors never gave up . " HOPE Barb's journey is a powerful reflection of how advanced cellular therapies - delivered with a deeply compassionate , whole - person approach - can restore hope and healing , all close to home for Chicago - area patients . Longstanding local and national expertise " City of Hope has been a pioneer in the field of bone marrow transplantation , " Presented by City of Hope Cancer Center The longstanding FACT - accredited bone marrow and stem cell transplant center at City of Hope Cancer Center is part of one of the longest - running and highest - volume bone marrow transplant programs in the United States , which recently celebrated its 50 - year milestone . Powered by a world - renowned National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center in California , City of Hope's national program is consistently recognized by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research as exceeding national patient outcome expectations . A MILESTONE CELEBRATION First transplant performed at City of Hope's Duarte campus : May 1976 50th anniversary celebration : May 2026 Number of transplants performed since 1976 : 20,000+ City of Hope is at the forefront of blood cancer research both locally and nationally , currently enrolling patients in multiple clinical trials - including several for which it was the sole participating location in Illinois at the time of launch . City of Hope Cancer Center was also named in U.S. News & World Report's 2025-26 ratings as high performing in the field of leukemia , lymphoma and myeloma . The City of Hope difference The stem cell transplant program at City of Hope Cancer Center is defined by a level of expertise , innovation and a whole - patient approach to care , highlighted by offerings including : Symptom management through various supportive care services such as nutritional support and behavioral health counseling Expertise in preventing , managing and treating graft - versus - host disease , a serious condition in which donor stem cells attack the patient's healthy cells after a transplant An inpatient unit created with a stem cell patient's comfort and safety in mind for extended stays , as well as on - site hotel rooms for caregivers and loved ones A strong survivorship program , ensuring any potential long - term effects are addressed said Dr. Rodriguez . Scan the QR code or visit cityofhope.org/chicago to learn more about City of Hope Cancer Center .