Pediatric Cellular Therapy and Blood and Marrow Transplant
New Cells...New Hope
When your child is facing a diagnosis that may need a bone marrow transplant or cellular therapy, it can be overwhelming and frightening. At AdventHealth for Children, we are here to help. Our Pediatric Cellular Therapy Program is the first and only of its kind in Central Florida. We offer cutting-edge, world-class therapy close to home. We strive to provide the highest level of care available, with access to research and new therapies. We partner with families on this journey to find the best path to cure, while supporting the patient and family every step of the way.
Nothing is more important than your child. At AdventHealth for Children, we treat each child as an individual with a tailor-made treatment plan that will offer the best outcomes with the lowest toxicity we can safely achieve. Our comprehensive program includes expert physicians trained in blood and marrow transplant and cellular therapy with access to all pediatric subspecialties ensuring the highest quality care.
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Blood and Marrow Transplant
We routinely perform every type of blood and marrow transplant. With a very experienced team we are able to achieve outcomes that meet or exceed national standards compared to other US pediatric programs.
We are a designated center for CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-Cell therapy, where we can take your child’s own immune system and turn the cells into targeted cancer therapy.
Our Pediatric Cellular Therapy program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), an internationally-recognized accrediting body for hospitals offering stem cell transplant. This means you can feel confident your child is in the best hands, as our team has met the most rigorous standards in every aspect of stem cell therapy.
At AdventHealth for Children, we continually strive to offer leading-edge, world-class therapies close to home, including gene therapy. LyfgeniaTM gene therapy for sickle cell disease and ZYNTEGLOTM for thalassemia are alternatives to traditional stem cell transplants.
Currently, the only option for a cure is a transplant using stem cells from a compatible donor. However, gene therapy uses stem cells collected from the patient themselves. The patient's stem cells are genetically modified and reinfused, curing their disease. These advanced therapies not only offer a cure, but they also come with fewer side effects than a stem cell transplant.
Meet Our Cellular Therapy Team
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Susan Kelly, MD, is an award-winning pediatric hematologist and oncologist who has been recognized with multiple national awards and research grants for her groundbreaking clinical research and outstanding patient care in the field of pediatric cellular therapy.
Dr. Kelly previously led the pediatric cellular therapy program at Arnold Palmer Hospital and served as director of the pediatric blood and marrow transplant program at the University of Florida. She was also director of the pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
About Our Facility and Team
At AdventHealth for Children, our patient spaces are designed specifically with you and your child in mind. Compassionate care and comfort for the whole family are some of our driving forces to ensure the time spent in our facilities is comfortable. Our team of specialists works to provide your child with comprehensive care in all areas and aspects of their transplant journey.
Inpatient: 8-bed state-of-the-art, dedicated pediatric transplant unit with Hepa-filtration for infection prevention. Includes a patient playroom, family kitchen/lounge and laundry room.
Outpatient: Our dedicated pediatric transplant clinic provides routine pre- and post- transplant care delivered by BMT trained staff.
POPS: POPS is our kid-focused Pediatric Outpatient Procedure and Sedation unit. POPS allows many therapies and infusions to be delivered on an outpatient basis in a private room that is a bright, joyful environment.
Cellular Therapy Lab: On-site, state-of-the-art cellular therapy laboratory to procure and process stem cells from bone marrow, peripheral blood and cord blood.
A whole multidisciplinary team of experts and providers work to ensure your child receives the best treatment and care through the entire transplant process, both while at the hospital as well as in an outpatient setting.
In-Person or Virtual Visits
A sick child needing a stem cell transplant can be scary and overwhelming. Our expertly-trained pediatric cellular therapy physicians are here to help. Whether it is an initial visit to discuss your child’s disease and the role of the transplant or if you are searching for more information and another medical opinion, we are only a phone call away. We are here at your convenience for both in-person and virtual visits.
Stories of Hope and Healing
Discover the stories of children who overcame leukemia with the help of a bone marrow transfer and their families who never lost hope.
True Believers in the Human Spirit - Colton's Story
After Colton had been lethargic and tired for a couple of weeks in the summer, his mom took him to urgent care, where they were told Colton needed to go to the hospital right away for an emergency blood transfusion. Colton learned he had leukemia.
Chemotherapy did not cure Colton's leukemia as it does for 90% of patients, so he needed a bone marrow transplant. Colton's sister had a 1 in 4 chance of being his perfect match for a bone marrow donation — and she was.
The transfusion was successful, and Colton is now in remission from leukemia and back on the baseball field. Colton says Dr. Kelly was very kind and friendly. Their story is proof that the human spirit defies all odds.
When doctors suggested that 11-month-old Grant be screened for cancer, he was transferred in the middle of the night to AdventHealth for Children. Within 24 hours, he was diagnosed with leukemia.
Grant’s parents temporarily moved to Orlando while he received chemotherapy — but this family’s story was far from over. Learn more about their journey and how Grant’s new baby brother became a lifesaving part of Grant’s treatment.
Today, Grant continues to thrive. He is in elementary school and loves baseball and karate.
Feeling at Home and Feeling Whole
Compassionate and Comfortable Patient Care
When a child needs a stem cell transplant, the treatment requires them to be away from the familiarity and comforts of home for many weeks, even months in some cases. At AdventHealth for Children, we partner with patients and families on their journey in health and healing.
Kids Beating Cancer's My Room
Kids Beating Cancer’s My Room program allows each patient to pick the theme of their hospital room. This way, kids and teens are surrounded by a room decorated just for them. We create a fun and comforting environment, all within our state-of-the-art transplant unit.
High Speed Wi-Fi
We understand the importance of being connected, so high-speed internet is available so parents can continue to work while being with their child, and patients can continue with remote schooling or play video games with their friends back at home.
Meals for Families
Hospital meal vouchers are given daily to families with a child in the Pediatric Transplant Unit. Our sponsors cover the cost for meals, so parents don't have to worry.
Our Care Locations
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