{"id":126535,"date":"2024-01-16T12:32:29","date_gmt":"2024-01-16T17:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=126535"},"modified":"2024-01-16T15:58:44","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T20:58:44","slug":"lehigh-valley-topper-cancer-institute-launches-stem-cell-transplant-and-cellular-therapy-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=126535","title":{"rendered":"Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute Launches Stem Cell Transplant  and Cellular Therapy Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_126539\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-126539\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-2024-01-16T155311.724.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-0\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-126539 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-2024-01-16T155311.724.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-2024-01-16T155311.724.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-2024-01-16T155311.724-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-2024-01-16T155311.724-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-126539\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Donor Karin Hall joins her husband, Tom (third from right), and leaders of Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute in cutting the ribbon to open the area\u2019s first and only Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital\u2013Cedar Crest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Lehigh Valley, Pa. (Jan. 16, 2024)<\/strong> \u2013 The first of its kind in the region, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/institutes\/lehigh-valley-topper-cancer-institute\">Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute\u2019s<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/treatments\/stem-cell-transplant-and-cellular-therapy-program\">Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program<\/a> is now offering people with certain blood disorders and cancers access to stem cell transplants closer to home than ever before.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStem cell transplants are a lifesaving treatment option, but they are also incredibly taxing for those receiving them and their loved ones,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/people\/brian-nester\">Brian A. Nester, DO, MBA<\/a>, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). \u201cIn 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/news\/lehigh-valley-health-networks-cancer-program-announces-new-name\">Joe and Maureen Topper<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/news\/generous-gift-will-help-lehigh-valley-topper-cancer-institute-launch-new-treatment-initiative\">Tom and Karin Hall<\/a>, that is no longer the reality for our patients.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>About stem cell transplants<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stem cell transplants are a treatment option for certain blood disorders and cancers, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)<\/li>\n<li>Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)<\/li>\n<li>Hodgkin lymphoma<\/li>\n<li>Multiple myeloma<\/li>\n<li>Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)<\/li>\n<li>Myelofibrosis<\/li>\n<li>Non-Hodgkin lymphoma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_126537\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-126537\" style=\"width: 200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-94.png\" data-rel=\"lightbox-image-1\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" title=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-126537\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-94.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-94.png 200w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-94-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/unnamed-94-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-126537\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amir Toor, MD, hematologist at Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute discusses the area\u2019s only Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest which opened Tuesday. The center offers people with certain blood disorders and cancers access to stem cell transplants close to home.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Stem cell transplants take place after a patient has received treatments to destroy the diseased cells in their body. Healthy blood-forming stem cells are then infused into the patient to help restore bone marrow destroyed by the treatments given to treat their cancer or other condition.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile it\u2019s important to provide exceptional care and comfort to all our patients, people needing a stem cell transplant need especially dedicated support. Patients receiving this treatment undergo many types of pre-transplant testing, need to come in for several outpatient appointments and spend weeks in the hospital during their treatment regimen. 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,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/doctors\/suresh-nair\">Suresh Nair, MD<\/a>, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. \u201cIt is a true honor to bring this lifesaving treatment option to our community, and it\u2019s another important example of how Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute continues to move the needle forward in cancer care throughout our region.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Specially trained staff members and state-of-the-art facilities<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program is led by hematologist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/doctors\/amir-toor\">Amir Toor, MD<\/a>, who has more than 20 years of experience with stem cell transplants and vast expertise with cellular therapies for hematologic malignancies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOver 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. We\u2019ve also overseen the development of designated spaces for the program, like an apheresis unit where stem cells are collected for transplants, and an inpatient unit specifically designed to keep our patients safe while they are receiving treatment,\u201d Dr. Toor says. \u201cIt is an honor to bring stem cell transplantation to people in all the communities LVHN serves. Allowing people to receive this treatment in their own community is such an important step in advancing cancer care throughout the region, and it truly highlights our dedication to increasing comfort and convenience for our patients.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lehigh Valley Health Network<\/a> (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Dickson City, and one in Lehighton, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/medical-services\/expresscare&quot; \\t &quot;_blank\">ExpressCARE<\/a>\u00a0locations including the area\u2019s only\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/medical-services\/childrens-expresscare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Children\u2019s ExpressCARE<\/a>; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal\/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/institutes\/lehigh-valley-cancer-institute\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/institutes\/lehigh-valley-heart-institute\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/institutes\/lehigh-valley-institute-surgical-excellence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/institutes\/lehigh-valley-orthopedic-institute\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/institutes\/lehigh-valley-fleming-neuroscience-institute\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute<\/a>\u00a0physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mskcc.org\/about\/innovative-collaborations\/msk-alliance\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance (MSK Cancer Alliance)<\/a>, an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/lehigh-valley-childrens-hospital\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lehigh Valley Reilly Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a>, the community\u2019s first and most trusted children\u2019s hospital, provides access to the most pediatric specialties in the region and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) is ranked 27th in the country for orthopedic care and among the top 10 hospitals in Pennsylvania by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/health.usnews.com\/best-hospitals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. News &amp; World Report<\/a>. LVH is also ranked by U.S. News &amp; World Report as the top hospital in the Allentown metro area for the 10th year in a row.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/locations\/lehigh-valley-hospital-cedar-crest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LVH\u2013Cedar Crest<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/locations\/lehigh-valley-hospital-17th-street\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LVH\u201317th Street<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lvhn.org\/locations\/lehigh-valley-hospital-muhlenberg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LVH\u2013Muhlenberg<\/a>\u00a0are the region\u2019s only\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/organizational-programs\/magnet\/#:~:text=The%20Magnet%20Recognition%20Program%20designates,improve%20the%20organization's%20patient%20outcomes.&amp;text=To%20patients%2C%20it%20means%20the,best%20that%20they%20can%20be.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Magnet\u00ae<\/a>\u00a0hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/lvhn.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LVHN.org<\/a>\u00a0or following us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lvhealthnetwork\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook,\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/lehigh-valley-hospital\/mycompany\/?viewAsMember=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lvhealthnetwork\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Information provided to TVL by:<br \/>\nBrian Downs<br \/>\nPublic Information Officer<br \/>\nMarketing and Public Affairs<br \/>\nLehigh Valley Health Network<br \/>\nLVHN.org<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Lehigh Valley, Pa. (Jan. 16, 2024) \u2013 The first of its kind in the region, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute\u2019s Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program is now &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=126535\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute Launches Stem Cell Transplant  and Cellular Therapy Program<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":115701,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[69,482],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-126535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-the-valley","category-press-release-2"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/LVHN.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126535"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=126535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/115701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=126535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=126535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=126535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}