Lake City grandmother finds new hope through advanced blood cancer treatment
Press release from HCA Florida North Florida Hospital
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When Lake City resident Pala Dubois was diagnosed with blood cancer, she faced an uncertain path forward. The energetic grandmother of three was told that her cancer was not treatable and that care would instead focus on helping provide a better quality of life.
Dubois wasn’t ready to stop looking for answers.
As she searched for treatment options, Dubois found the HCA Healthcare Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, where she met hematologist Dr. Zeina Al-Mansour.
For Dubois, one word from that first conversation changed everything.
“Dr. Al-Mansour was the first doctor who used the word ‘cure,’” Dubois said. “I am so incredibly grateful to her and the entire transplant and cellular therapy team. They saved my life.”
In May 2026, Dubois underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, becoming the program’s second patient to receive the procedure. Her transplant was possible thanks to a generous compatible donor from Germany.
Today, Dubois is in full remission and says she feels great — welcome news for a grandmother eager to spend more time with her three grandchildren and the rest of her family.
HCA Florida North Florida Hospital is sharing her story during September’s Blood Cancer Awareness Month to encourage patients and families to learn the signs of blood cancer and understand the growing number of treatment options and specialized resources available.
“Blood Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to help people across Florida understand that specialized treatment options for complex blood cancers are available here at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital,” said Dr. Al-Mansour. “Through our transplant and cellular therapy program, we evaluate each person individually and connect patients with advanced treatment options based on their unique diagnosis and needs.”
Approximately every three minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, according to blood cancer advocacy organizations. Blood cancers can affect the bone marrow, blood cells, lymph nodes, and other parts of the lymphatic system.
Blood cancer includes a range of diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Symptoms vary and may resemble other common illnesses, making them easy to overlook. Warning signs can include persistent fatigue or weakness, fever or chills, frequent infections, easy bruising or excessive bleeding, night sweats, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and other unexplained or persistent symptoms.
People experiencing concerning or persistent symptoms should talk with their healthcare provider about whether additional evaluation is appropriate.
Bringing advanced blood cancer treatment closer to home
The Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital is the only program of its kind in the HCA Healthcare system in the Southeast. Launched in 2024, the program provides specialized treatment for patients with complex blood cancers and blood disorders, including allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplants, CAR T-cell therapy, acute leukemia care, and other advanced therapies.
The program connects patients throughout Florida with the broader HCA Healthcare Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network. The network includes 10 complex blood cancer programs across the United States, collectively caring for more than 1,200 patients with acute leukemia annually. Approximately 1,600 blood and marrow transplant and cellular therapy recipients receive care through the network each year.
The coordinated network provides patients access to specialized expertise and advanced treatment options while expanding the availability of complex cancer care closer to home.
For Dubois, finding the program opened a new path forward.
Today, Dubois is in full remission and looking forward to more time making memories with her family.
“I feel great,” Dubois said. “I’m just so thankful.”
For more information about blood cancer care and the Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com or call the program at (352) 333-4301. Patients with cancer-related questions may also contact askSARAH at (352) 339-7000.