Roper St. Francis announced plans Tuesday to establish the Mott Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program.
The new program has been made possible through a $2.5 million donation to the Roper St. Francis Foundation — the largest gift in the foundation's history.
The money was donated by Rodney and Vicki Mott. Rodney Mott was treated for cancer at Roper St. Francis. The new program will likely be housed at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in West Ashley.
“My wife, Vicki, and I considered programs nationwide and ultimately chose Roper St. Francis Healthcare because of its superior quality,” Rodney Mott, a retired steel industry veteran, said in a press release. “We recognize that there are substantial costs in maintaining this top level of care, and we want to support Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s efforts to enhance the program for decades to come.”
Most of the Motts' donation will be used to create an endowment to cover the cost of a coordinator's position.
"The transplant coordinator will serve as the patient’s primary navigator during their cancer journey and will ensure a seamless experience for patients," according to the release.
The rest of the donation will be used to pay for facility renovations, new technology and additional positions.
“We’ll be able to serve more transplant patients as well as position ourselves for the future of cellular therapies that are in development," said Dr. Steve Akman, Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s medical director for oncology. "The fact that we can offer this service with excellent outcomes in a community setting is a significant contribution to our mission and the Lowcountry.”
