Karl Blume Guestbook

Karl Blume was a unique and wonderful mentor and friend. I worked with Dr. Blume from 1988 until 2001 as a nurse manager at Stanford. He had high expectations of the nurses but also treated us as valued members of the team. As other people have stated, he was a great listener and thoughtful advisor. I had the privilege of calling him a friend and will miss him but he will never be forgotten.

Karl Blume was one of the greatest mentors in my career. Thoughtful, considerate, and kind; he emulated compassionate patient care, optimism, and steadfast dedication to research. He cared about patients first and foremost and delighted in each patient's successes and mourned the patients we lost. He valued every team member's contribution and fostered a team approach to the care of patients. He was a role model to me and many others and will always be remembered in our hearts with fond and loving memories.

While I only worked with Dr Blume for a short two years (2008-2010), he had the type of influence on me that others speak of: he made me feel good about my contribution to the BMT program. He always greeted me with an pleasnt "hello" and that warm smile, taking time to ask how things were going. He was clearly passionate about maintaining a collaborative team, not only ensuring strong clinical care for patients, but also improving the quality of the research and academic program. I will always think very fondly of Karl and am blessed to have known him.

I had the honor of working with Dr. Blume since 1995. He was a great scientist, physician, and leader; more than that, he was a great humanitarian. He cared deeply for the welfare of his patients, but also for those that worked with him. His expectations were extremely high, but he surrounded himself with people who shared his vision and were willing to work hard to achieve success. His work lives on not only at the Stanford BMT Program and the City of Hope, but also through the work of the many physicians he helped train.

I came to the BMT Program in 1997. I had the privilege of working with Dr. Blume for many years. He held nursing to the same high standards he held everyone to and treated us as equal members of the team. He cared deeply for the patients and celebrated in their success and morned those who did not make it. He was a incredible man, doctor, scientist and humanitarian. It was an honor to work with him. I will miss his warm smile and presence on the unit.

I was deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Blume had passed away. Like many of my laboratory colleagues that have worked with him over the years, I hold tremendous respect for him; a brilliant, caring and inspirational leader. What a tragic loss, my sincere condolences to his family.

Unlike most of the individuals that have left comments, I never worked with Dr. Blume nor knew him on a personal level. However, from the few times I did have a chance to meet him; Dr. Blume always had a smile on his face and seemed up beat. I had no idea of the severity of his condition and to be completely honest, I am shocked to hear of his passing. I would like to express my condolences to his family and friends and wish them the best during this trying time.

I never worked professionally with Dr. Blume, but I had the pleasure of seeing him about once a year for the past several years. He never failed to ask about my two daughters, who were molecular biology majors, and were working toward their eventual career paths. He was a warm and caring person, whose visits I always looked forward to. I will miss him very much.

Karl established not one but two world class BMT programs, City of Hope and Stanford. He was integral to the growth of our field, directly saved the lives of thousands of patients and mentored hundreds of young investigators who continue to advance the field around the world. He was a solid example of true integrity as supported by both words and actions. He frequently stated: “you must do what is right, no matter how difficult”. Karl had very high standards but he was always supportive and he was always fair. He was a priceless mentor, a gracious colleague, a trusted confidante and a thoughtful friend. I could ask advice anytime about work, career, patients, life in general or for a thouthful critique on a current project. Karl also embraced life...he loved sports and appreciated the arts, fancy cigars and a good laugh. He was my “rock”. There will never be another Karl.

I had a great privilige of working on BMT unit 2007-2008 as a transplant fellow and Dr.Blume visited the E1 unit every single day and encouraged everyone.He handed me the Fourth Edition of "Thomas's Hematopoeietic Cell Transplantation " with his autograph and wrote "Best Wishes for your Future".He told me that he would be there at the time of the next edition.I was shocked then and I am in the same state today.I think his legacy and great work in the transplant field would guide us for years to come.

When I first started on the BMT floor, I came across a man with the warmest smile accompanied by a charming bow tie. Dr. Blume was kind to everyone, as significant as he was and always will be to the whole BMT department, he was sure to always make everyone feel like an important part of a team. I will miss him dearly and feel honored to have had a "tour" of his indiscrete office that absolutely amazed me.
My deepest sympathy,
Laura D.

Karl was one of the first transplant physicians I met upon becoming executive director of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. He was among a handful of physicians who founded the society, and was co-editor of its journal in the organization’s early years. What an outstanding representative of the many skillful, caring and inspired health professionals in his field. What a glorious friend.

I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Blume on the HRSA Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (which he chaired) a couple years ago. He was a no-nonsense leader, but I was so touched by his brilliance, clear-thinking, warmth, and humor.

It is tremendously inspiring to see all of these eloquent tributes to my father. Of course I always knew that he was making a difference in people's lives, not only the patients but also his colleagues, but I think it's a further testament to his character that he left most of these things at the office, and when he came home to us, he was just our Papa. With the family he also had a knack for bringing out the best in us, even if I was one of the more stubborn, less receptive beneficiaries of his method! But I'm so very grateful for that and much much more... we will miss him more than words can say.

Karl was easily recognized by either his “trademark” bow tie or his smile that warmed your heart. I had the honor and privilege of working with him from the start of the transplant program at City of Hope National Medical Center in 1975 until 1989 as the Stanford BMT Program was in its early phase. He was a dear friend for over 37 years and his absence in my life will be deeply felt.

Words seem inadequate to accurately describe him. Karl was “Larger than Life”, yet so down to earth. He was an incredible leader, an exceptional gentleman, charismatic and influential, with a very caring and giving nature and had a wonderful sense of humor. He expected the best of everyone, but mostly of himself. Anyone who knew Karl or worked with him at any level had only the highest respect for him. The devastating news of his passing leaves this world with a tremendous loss and deep heartache. He’s left a void that can never be filled.

I had the absolute privilege and pleasure to work with Karl Blume, establishing and developing the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, one of the first designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Germany together. Over the years Karl Blume has kept close bonds to his Alma Mater, the Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg, Germany. Being a successful Advisor for the Stanford Cancer Institute, in 2006 we were able to get him on board as a Senior Scientific Advisor for our new cancer center program. What I experienced then, with respect to great mentorship went far beyond everything one could possibly expect. He advised us in all aspects important in the development of a Comprehensive Cancer Center, being an expert in the field, but furthermore he mentored me as a young Cancer Center Director in an extraordinary and superb fashion and guided me through the process of developing a competitive and successful cancer center program. Even being over 9000 miles away he thereby played the key role in the successful development of our center. Karl Blume was a rare individual, he was an outstanding mentor in addition to being an outstanding clinician and scientist. His dedication to the advancement of the careers of his mentees was just unique. He was the finest mentor I can think of setting the paths for many future generations. Furthermore, he was an inspiration and role model in so many aspects of life going far beyond Medicine.

My children and I are deeply saddened by the death of Karl. He was a caring friend who made a tremendous difference in the last months of my husband's life. We will never forget his caring interest and daily visits to Herman's hospital room. He was a real GentleMan!

Dr. Karl Blume was a visionary leader and committed to building an exceptional transplant program at Stanford, which he succeeded in doing by every measure. He believed in and valued a team approach to patient care and patients were always the center of his efforts. He had high expectations of his team but was there to make sure you succeeded. I miss Karl but am grateful that his grace, wisdom, teachings and commitment to patient care continue to inspire me.

I just got my "Stanford Cancer Institute News" and saw the obit for Dr. Blume, one of my favorite MD's. I first met Dr. Blume in 1998 on a consultation for a possible stem cell transplant. In 95, I was told I had a life ending disease,(NHL STAGE 4) with a prognosis of 10 years. My youngest was just a toddler and all I could think was, he would be a teenager and not have a mother to watch over him. When I relapsed shortly following 1 year of intensive chemotherapy, I knew I had to think more aggressive. As an RN, I networked and eventually found myself consulting with Dr. Blume. As all of you know, he was just so cheerful and smiling and told me that he was sure that I could get a good remission and possibly cure with a PSCT. I was so hopeful, although, when the process was described to me, with a distinct possibility of death,I had some 2nd thoughts. I can't imagine what it was like to persuade the first transplant in 1987. Especially, when they didn't have all sorts of statistics like they showed me. However, he promised that they would do everything to keep me comfortable and get me through the process. True to his word, he checked on me every day and got me through. Every summer at the reunion, he always had a big hug for me.
I just celebrated 14 years clean. The reunions won't be quite the same without him. He was a pioneer. A warm and remarkable individual! And my life was forever changed by his influence!

Unlike most of the individuals that have left comments, I never worked with Dr. Blume nor knew him on a personal level. However, from the few times I did have a chance to meet him; Dr. Blume always had a smile on his face and seemed up beat. I had no idea of the severity of his condition and to be completely honest, I am shocked to hear of his passing. I would like to express my condolences to his family and friends and wish them the best during this trying time.

Dr. Karl Blume performed stem cell transplant to treat my myelofibrosis in May 2000. I remember his larger than life support and smile. There was a nurses's strike during my treatment period, and I saw him often pushing around the cart with medical equipment. A perfect doctor whose untiring work and supporting words gave me this second life.

I fondly remember him with great respect.