Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute Leads the Way in Stem Cell Transplants

Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute’s stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program s now offering people with certain blood disorders and cancers access to stem cell transplants. “Stem cell transplants are a lifesaving treatment option, but they are also incredibly taxing for those receiving them and their loved ones,” says Brian A. Nester, DO, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). “In the past, our community members needed to travel out of the area for this treatment option, spending weeks in an unfamiliar hospital far from their homes. But now, thanks to incredibly generous gifts from Joe and Maureen Topper and Tom and Karin Hall, that is no longer the reality for our patients.”

Stem cell transplants are a treatment option for certain blood disorders and cancers, including:

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• Acute myeloid leukemia
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Myelofibrosis
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Stem cell transplants occur after an individual has received treatments to destroy the diseased cells in their body. Healthy blood-forming stem cells are then infused to help restore bone marrow depleted by the treatments given to treat the condition.

“While it’s important to provide exceptional care and comfort to all our patients, people needing a stem cell transplant need especially dedicated support. Having the comfort of their family and community members close by throughout their entire patient journey can make all the difference in their emotional health,” says Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute.

The Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program is led by hematologist Amir Toor, MD, who has more than 20 years of experience with stem cell transplants and vast expertise with cellular therapies for hematologic malignancies.

“Over the last few years, my colleagues and I have been hard at work building a specialized team of physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, social workers, financial counselors and transplant coordinators who are specially trained to care for and support patients undergoing stem cell transplants,” Dr. Toor says. “It is an honor to bring stem cell transplantation to people in all the communities LVHN serves.”