BMT PROGRAM OVERVIEW

HISTORY AND GROWTH
  • The AUBMC Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Program saw fruition in July 2004 with the opening of a dedicated BMT unit. The program is currently the pioneering transplant program in Lebanon and is witnessing a steady growth despite the difficult circumstances in Lebanon.

 

  • The first transplants took place at AUBMC in 1998, treating 13 patients, before the formal establishment of a dedicated program. The program has so far treated 1282 patients since its inception, out of which  271 are pediatric and 1011 are adults.

 

  • The program is also the first to perform unrelated donor transplant, mismatch and haplo-identical transplant in Lebanon. Our center attracts patients from Lebanon and the region. The program also participates in transplant research and is an active member of the European (EBMT) and Eastern Mediterranean (EMBMT) Bone Marrow Transplantation groups.

 

  • Outcome results from AUBMC BMT program bench-mark with the most prestigious BMT programs in North America and Western Europe. The program received the JACIE accreditation in 2016, being the only internationally accredited program in Lebanon and one of eight worldwide outside Europe and North America. It is the second such accredited program in the MENA region.

 

  • On August 30, 2019, AUBMC celebrated a landmark achievement of crossing the 1000 bone marrow transplants since its fruition in 2004, with 80% patients being adults and 20 % being children.

 

  • Results from the AUBMC BMT program benchmark with the most prestigious BMT programs in North America and Western Europe, whereby it is the first program to perform unrelated donor transplants, mismatch and haplo-identical transplants in Lebanon.
MISSION AND VISION

Our Mission

The BMT Program at AUBMC aims to reduce the burden of cancer in Lebanon and the region through the provision of high-quality, compassionate, and state-of-the-art care. We shall make every effort to utilize the transplantation-based therapies and expertise to serve your personalized needs to eliminate cancer. Our program has a strong dedication to clinical and basic science research and to advancing the field of BMT. We aim to maintain our well-recognized program nationally and internationally for its cutting-edge basic, clinical, and translational cancer research, particularly in the field of hematological malignancies and grow our research activities focused on developing targeted therapies for human leukemia.

 

Our Vision

The BMT Program at AUBMC aspires to be a leading institute for cancer treatment with stem cell transplantation through the promotion of excellence in patient care, research, and education and enhancing effectiveness and collaboration among cancer programs and healthcare providers.

DIVISIONS & servICES

Our commitment to patients goes beyond the delivery of sophisticated care; we respect the individual needs of all those who seek our care and work to empower patients with the knowledge and support they need to face cancer.

The BMT program provides consultation services and care to patients with benign and malignant hematological diseases in Lebanon and the region.

 

The BMT program benefits from 5 major service units :

  • Dedicated BMT Clinics: Adult and Pediatric Oncology Clinics
  • Adult Ambulatory Infusion Center (Outpatient) and Pediatric Ambulatory Infusion Center (Outpatient)
  • Adult Inpatient Unit and Pediatric Inpatient Unit
  • Stem Cell Transplant Unit

 

Services Offered at the BMT program:

  • Autologous Transplantation: The patient donates her/his own peripheral stem cells (or sometimes bone marrow) prior to treatment for re-infusion later.
  • Allogeneic Transplantation: The person giving the bone marrow or stem cells is a family member or a volunteer donor:

a. Matched related : The person donating marrow is related to the patient with a full matched HLA, usually a brother or sister

b. Matched Unrelated Allogeneic Transplantation (MUD): The person donating marrow is unrelated to the patient. Chances of finding an unrelated compatible donor from the general population depends on the uniqueness of tissue type

c. Haplo Identical Transplantation: The person donating marrow is related to the patient with a half matched HLA (Father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter)

d. Syngeneic Transplantation: The person donating the bone marrow or stem cells is an identical twin.

BMT procedures encompass the range of necessary laboratory medicine workup as well as molecular and genetics testing, listed in the Patient Care Services section.

When the patient is diagnosed to have leukemia, aplastic anemia, and some lymphomas, it becomes crucial to replace the unhealthy marrow with a healthy one. Allogeneic, unrelated, and syngeneic bone marrow transplantations (BMT’s) are most commonly used in persons with those diseases.

While in lymphomas and multiple myeloma, an autologous BMT is usually done.

 

  • Cellular therapy:
  • Donor lymphocyte infusion : The lymphocytes of the donor of an allogeneic transplantation are infused to the patient (recipient) to induce graft versus leukemia/lymphoma (prevention or treatment of relapse) or for loss of chimerism
  • Stem cell boost: The donor stem cells are selected (CD34+ cells) and infused to the patient (recipient) to enhance engraftment (primary or secondary graft failure)
  • Extracorporeal photopheresis: the patient’s white blood cells are treated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation for treatment of acute or chronic graft versus host disease
  • Stem cell collection:
  • Autologous peripheral stem cell collection : The patient’s stem cells are harvested via apheresis
  • Allogeneic peripheral stem cell collection : The donor’s stem cells are harvested via apheresis
  • Bone marrow harvesting: The patient’s or donor’s bone marrow are harvested in the operating room under general anesthesia

 

  • Stem cell services:
  • Stem cell Processing, Cryopreservation, and Storage in liquid Nitrogen
  • Thawing and Release of the Stem Cell Collect
  • Bone marrow harvest processing and release
  • Storage of harvested autologous and allogeneic stem cells or bone marrow. These are stored at -80 C for future transplants.
WHY COME TO US

Medical centers that offer bone marrow transplantation (BMT) services are increasing, and this makes deciding where to seek BMT therapies more difficult. Here are some reasons why the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) is your best hope for BMT.

 

Expertise

  • The AUBMC BMT program is an official member (number CIC369) of the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group (EBMT).

 

  • The program received the prestigious Joint Accreditation Committee of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) (JACIE) accreditation for its Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Europe’s official accreditation body in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and cellular therapy accreditation in 2016, being the only internationally accredited program in Lebanon and one of eight worldwide outside Europe and North America.

 

 

  • The program is currently the pioneering transplant program in Lebanon and is witnessing unprecedented growth (45 transplants in 2011, 103 transplants in 2016 including 52 allogeneic BMT).

 

 

  • We use and develop front-line diagnostic technology: helping physicians pinpoint each patient’s unique needs and tailor treatment for the best possible outcome.

 

  • The BMT program’s group of specialized nurses healthcare workers trained in BMT care and dedicated oncology pharmacists as part of the multi-disciplinary team in order to provide patients with the utmost attention and quality care (AUBMC is the first healthcare facility with MAGNET designation in the Middle East Region, a nursing accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

 

  • The BMT Program is well-recognized nationally and internationally for its cutting-edge research in the field of hematological malignancies and published in leading scientific journals, namely “The New England Journal of Medicine”, “Science”, “The Lancet Oncology”, “Blood”, and “Cancer Research”.

 

The BMT program also benefits from a collaboration with the Naef. K. Basile Cancer Institute’s newly established clinical programs for the comprehensive treatment of cancer:

FACULTY
Division of Hematology-Oncology 

Adult Malignant Hematological Disorders & Steam Cell Transplantation Program

 

Ali Bazarbachi, MD, PhD

Professor, Hematology – Oncology

Director of Bone Marrow Transplant Unit

Associate Dean for Basic Research

Subspecialty: Malignant Hematology / Stem Cells Transplant

bazarbac@aub.edu.lb

Ext:  7980

Dr. Bazarbachi serves as professor of hematology and oncology; professor of anatomy, cell biology, and physiological sciences; associate dean for basic research; and director of the bone marrow transplantation program at the American University of Beirut (AUB). His research focuses on developing targeted therapies for leukemia and lymphoma and bone marrow transplantation. Among the many national and international prizes and awards he has garnered over the years are the French Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer Prize for Cancer Research, the Hafez Kobeissi Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research, and the 2008 award of the French National Academy of Medicine.

 

Jean El Cheikh, MD

Associate Professor, Hematology – Oncology

Subspecialty: Malignant Hematology / Stem Cells Transplant

Je46@aub.edu.lb

Ext:  7980

Dr El-Cheikh received his MD from the University of Naples in Italy; followed by advanced training in Hematology with a special focus on Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) at the University of Bologna, Italy. He then moved to work as a faculty member (Praticien Hospitalier Specialist) at the Institute Paoli – Calmettes, Marseilles, France.

In 2015 he moved to Lebanon and joined the Naef K. Basile cancer Institute at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, (AUBMC). Currently, Dr El-Cheikh is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine and a bone marrow transplantation expert at AUBMC.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr-El-Cheikh is also an academic and an active researcher. Having published more than 160 PubMed indexed articles, he is considered an expert in malignant hematological diseases with particular interests in developing haploidentical transplant, the reduced-toxicity conditioning regimens, immunomodulation, and large experience in infectious diseases and supportive care in the context of intensive therapy for hematologic malignancies. He continues to add to the existing medical literature particularly working on studies targeting the Middle Eastern population.

Dr El-Cheikh is also a member of many international scientific societies such as the European Group of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), the European Hematology Association, among others. He also serves as a peer reviewer in many major medical journals in his areas of expertise.

Dr El-Cheikh received an Executive Master’s Degree in Public Health and a second Master’s Degree in Analysis and Management of Health Care Systems in February 2021, from the ESA Business School, Beirut, Lebanon in collaboration with the University of Paris 7 France.

Dr El-Cheikh is the president of Revive blood and cancer patients association, the vice president of the Secours Populaire libanais and many other cancer support groups.

 

Iman AbouDalle, MD

Assistant Professor, Hematology – Oncology

Subspecialty: Malignant Hematology / Stem Cells Transplant

ia41@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 7980

Dr. Iman Abou Dalle is currently an assistant professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine. She is the director of the hematology-oncology fellowship program and a Vyn Dyck medical educator at the School of Medicine at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. She also joins the membership of the malignant hematology and bone marrow transplantation unit at the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute. She is the founder of the comprehensive myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) clinic. Dr. Abou Dalle’s clinical expertise involves the diagnosis and management of hematologic malignancies, including acute and chronic leukemias, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Dr. Abou Dalle graduated with an MD degree from the Lebanese University in 2011, then joined FM/AUBMC to complete three years of residency training in Internal Medicine (2011-2014). She received the best resident of the year award in 2013, as well as earned a university diploma in medical research in collaboration with the Lebanese University. From 2014 to 2017, she completed three years of clinical fellowship in Hematology-Oncology at AUBMC. She then joined the University of Texas – MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston where she pursued advanced fellowship training in leukemia for two years during which she received the fellow of the year award for two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019 by the Leukemia Department.

Dr. Abou Dalle authored and co-authored more than 40 publications at peer reviewed journals of high impact in hematologic malignancies. She presented more than 20 abstracts at both national and international hematology meetings during which she received both ASH achievement abstract award in 2018, and ASCO merit award by the Conquer Cancer Foundation in 2019. She also was rewarded the faculty advancement program (FAP) award for best research proposal at AUB in 2020.

 

Nour Moukalled, M.D.

Clinical Instructor, Hematology – Oncology

Subspecialty: Malignant Hematology / Stem Cells Transplant

nm90@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 7980

Dr. Moukalled graduated with a BS in Medical Laboratory Technology with distinction from AUB (2007) and received the distinguished MLT Graduate Award. She then earned the MD degree from Balamand University (2012) where she received the American Lebanese Medical Association Scholarship Award.

Dr. Moukalled rejoined AUB and completed three years of residency training in Internal Medicine (2013-2016), receiving the ‘Senior Resident of the Year Award’ in 2016. From 2016 to 2019, she completed three years of clinical fellowship in Hematology-Oncology at AUB’s Division of Hematology-Oncology. In 2018, she received the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism Program ‘Humanism and Professionalism Resident Award’. Upon her graduation in 2019, she was awarded the ‘Fellow of the Year Award’ by the Department of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Moukalled was awarded the ‘Munib Shahid Fellowship Grant Award’ and was accepted to join Emory University Hospital-Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta where she pursued advanced fellowship training in malignant hematology, cellular therapy, and bone marrow transplantation for two years (H. J. Khoury Fellowship). At Emory, Dr. Moukalled was also involved in educational activities for internal medicine residents, fellows, and nurses, delivering excellent lectures and bedside teaching. She received outstanding recommendations from the faculty at Emory, and it was heartwarming to learn from their fellowship program that they would ‘wish they could have kept her at Emory’, but she had already decided to return to Lebanon and join AUB.

Dr. Moukalled’s clinical expertise involves the diagnosis and management of benign and malignant hematologic disorders, including multiple myeloma and plasma cell disorders, indolent and aggressive lymphomas, acute and chronic leukemias, in addition to thromboembolism and hemoglobinopathies, among others.

Dr. Moukalled has been quite active in research, co-authoring more than 20 publications in peer-reviewed journals so far. She presented several abstracts at the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

In joining AUBMC, Dr. Moukalled is involved in teaching medical students, residents, and fellows. Her ultimate goals are to collaborate in international clinical trials to advance medical research regionally and to contribute to personalized patient care and innovative malignancy treatments at our medical center.

 

Pediatric Malignant Hematological Disorders & Steam Cell Transplantation Program:

Miguel Abboud, MD

Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Head of Sickle Cell Disease Program

Abboudm@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 5500 5504

Dr. Miguel R. Abboud earned his medical degree and completed his residency in the Department of Pediatrics, both at the American University of Beirut. He was a Fellow in Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and New York Hospital, Cornell University Medical Center, 1984-1987, followed by appointment as Chief Fellow there 1987-1988. Before holding a number of positions at the Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. and became Professor of Pediatrics in 2001. At MUSC, Dr. Abboud’s research focused on sickle cell disease and numerous studies. He was an original member of the steering committees for STOP I/II trials.

He studied the pathophysiology of the disease and helped develop new modalities of therapy including hematopoietic stem cell transplant. In August 2002, he became the first Medical Director of the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) at the AUBMC and Professor of Pediatrics. He established successful bone marrow transplant, limb salvage surgery, and sickle cell disease programs as well as an acute lymphoblastic leukemia research protocol in collaboration with the Leukemia/Lymphoma Division at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. The sickle cell program at AUBMC now provides comprehensive service to over 300 children/adolescents with this disease with a research focused on pulmonary hypertension/vasculopathy in sickle cell disease.

Dr Abboud has won several awards and honors, including: Teacher of the Year Award for the Department of Pediatrics (2005–2006); the Miracle Maker Award from A.H. Robbins (1995); and the Mitchell Rubin Research Award in Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina (1993). Dr Abboud is a member or fellow of a number of international societies and associations, and is a peer-reviewer for major international journals and is a member of the Editorial Board of Transplantation. Dr Abboud was a member of the Executive Committee and Steering Committee of the Stroke Prevention Study in Sickle Cell Disease, the Steering Committee of the BABYHUG Clinical Trial, and the Executive Committee of STOP II.

He has published >150 publications in prestigious journals and is a member of the editorial board of Blood Cells Molecules and Disease and is on the Board of Reviewers of Transplantation,  is regional associate editor for Cancer and Regional Editor for Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, in addition to being a reviewer for premier publications in his field, as well as the Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine. His awards include Physician of the Year by the National Committee for Lebanese Children in 2007, Teacher of the Year award for Pediatrics at AUBMC for 2005–2006, a “Miracle Maker” award from A.H. Robbins in 1995, the Mitchell Rubin Research Award in Pediatrics in 1993, the Toys“R”Us Fellowship Award for 1988–1989, and the Penrose Award from the American University of Beirut in 1982.

Dr Abboud is a member of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

 

Dolly Noun, MD

Clinical Instuctor, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

Pediatric Hematologist Oncologist

dn17@aub.edu.lb

Ext:  8164

 
Dr. Dolly Noun obtained her MD degree from the Lebanese University in 2012. She completed her pediatric residency training and fellowship in Hematology Oncology at AUBMC in 2018. She was appointed as clinical associate at the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) in 2018 where she covered the outpatient services at the Institute,  and the inpatient services as of July 2021 and coordinated the scientific activities of the Pediatric Oncology East Mediterranean Group (POEM). She was assigned as the fellowship program director in October 2021 and is the CCI collaborative practice group leader. In July 2022, she was appointed as Clinical Instructor in the Pediatric and Adolescent department and is working on developing a palliative care service at CCI and the Pediatrics and Adolescent medicine department.
 

Her work had a special focus on transplant patients since her fellowship as she participated in pre-transplant planning and post-transplant immediate and long-term follow-up. She has a special interest in immune deficiency patients and has co-authored a few articles related to Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) and is currently reviewing AUBMC’s experience with transplants in pediatric PID patients.

STAFF

Rita Nehme, RN

Coordinator, Bone Marrow Transplantation Program

Rn35@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 7106

Rita graduated from “Sainte Famille” University Batroun with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2004, In 2005, she joined AUBMC.  After 5 years as bedside nurse in the bone marrow transplant unit, she became the Bone Marrow transplant nurse coordinator and data manager in 2011. 

Her professionalism and passion towards her job allowed her a state of the art database that was recognized by JACIE accrediting body.

 

Ammar Zahreddine, RN

Quality control officer, Case manager, Bone Marrow Transplantation Program

Az27@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 7714

Ammar is a qualified nurse since 1996 after a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Makassed University in Beirut, and a master’s degree in nursing from AUB in June 2020.  He worked in Lebanon and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fields of hematology, stem cell transplant, palliative care, and nursing education, as well as a community health nurse in the field of sexual health and rights.

Ammar joined AUBMC in the capacity of a registered nurse at the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit in 2009 and has been assuming the role of Nurse Case Manager and Quality/Accreditation Officer for the BMT Program since 2015. He has also been working on achieving and maintaining the JACIE accreditation status of the program.

 

Nariman Hariss, R.N., MBA

Pediatric Oncology nurse

Pediatric Oncology Transplant Coordinator

nh24@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 8108 8109

A pediatric oncology nurse and bone marrow transplant coordinator working at Children Cancer Center/outpatient. Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Lebanese University/faculty of Public Health and with a master’s degree in Business administration specialized in hospital administration in 2012.

Joined AUBMC in the capacity of a registered nurse at pediatric floor in 2000 and transferred to oncology area in 2006 and has been assuming the role of pediatric bone marrow transplant coordinator since 2013. Working on achieving and maintaining JACIE accreditation status with our BMT team.

 

Nabila Kreidieh, MLT

Senior Clinical Lab Scientist, Stem cell processing laboratory

nk22@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 5235

A qualified medical laboratory technologist obtained a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory technology from American University of Beirut (AUB) in 1988. Worked at AUBMC as a medical technologist at Blood Bank, Hematology and Cytogenetics labs since 1995.

Trained on Stem cell processing in Cleveland clinics in 2000 and certified in Stem cell Biology from Ulster University in 2015. Participated in setting up the stem cell processing laboratory (SCPL) at AUBMC and has been assuming the role of a clinical laboratory specialist in-charge of SCPL since year 2000.

Working on achieving and maintaining the CAP and JACIE accreditation status of the section.

 

Administration

Celine Abou Karam, RN, MLC

Ca40@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 7903

EDUCATION
  • The main objective behind the 3-year fellowship program at the Division of Hematology Oncology-Department of Internal Medicine at AUBMC is to train specialists to serve in the region and identify unique individuals with outstanding research potential for further training in the United States. Hematology Oncology physicians are involved in training residents and fellows in both the Inpatient (including the BMT Unit) and Outpatient Units.

 

  • The Department of Internal Medicine – Hematology Oncology has a three years fellowship program starting at the level of PGY IV. Each candidate is required to have completed his/her residency in internal medicine. Non-AUB graduate applicants to the fellowship programs should sit for an English proficiency examination.

 

  • Interested applicants need to fill out an online application on the Graduate Medical Education (GME) website from mid -November to the first of January and submit the required papers to the GME Office. For more information on the specific programs, eligibility criteria and requirements, and applications, please visit the GME website.

 

Directors of the Educational Programs

Iman Abou Dalle, MD

Assistant Professor, Hematology Oncology

Director, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program

Hematology Oncology Department

ia41@aub.edu.lb

Ext: 7980

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Tumor Boards and Patient Coordination Meetings

Every Monday   12:00 pm – 13:00 pm

BMT Journal Club / Malignant Hematology Lecture

BMT Conference Room, 8th floor

Dr. Ali Bazarbachi

 

Every Wednesday    9:00 am – 11:00 am

BMT Inpatient Multi-disciplinary Meeting

BMT Conference Room, 8th floor

Dr. Ali Bazarbachi

 

Every Wednesday    11:00 am – 12:00 pm

HSCT Planning Meeting

BMT Conference Room, 8th floor

Dr. Ali Bazarbachi

 

Every Wednesday    12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Leukemia & Lymphoma Activity

BMT Conference Room, 8th floor

Dr. Ali Bazarbachi

 

Every Thursday    8:30 am – 9:30 am

Pediatric BMT Meeting

Meeting conducted through Webex

Dr. Miguel Abboud

 

Once a month on Thursday    5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

AUBMC-MD Anderson Cancer Center Leukemia/Lymphoma Teleconference

Dean’s Conference Room

Dr. Ali Bazarbachi

FAQS

How can I take an appointment with the bone marrow transplantation program?

To schedule an appointment or contact us, please refer to the numbers listed below:

 

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION PROGRAM

BMT unit coordinator  01 – 350000 ext. 7106

BMT case manager 01-350000 ext. 7714

AUBMC, Phase II, 8th floor

EMAIL US: bmtu@aub.edu.lb

 

Bone Marrow Transplantation Program service units:

  • Adult Oncology Clinics – Tel: 01-374444 Ext: 8656/8657
  • Pediatric Oncology Clinics-  Ext: 7858/8107
  • Adult Ambulatory Hematology Oncology Infusion Center – Ext: 7621/2/3/4
  • Pediatric Ambulatory Hematology Oncology Infusion Center – Ext: 8109
  • Adult Inpatient Unit –  Ext: 6281
  • Pediatric Inpatient Unit  –  Ext 7640/7645
  • Stem Cell Transplant Unit –  Ext: 7090/1

 

BMT program administration:
Telephone: 00961 – 1 – 350 000 ext. 7903

 

For International Patients​ Visit the following link​.

 

Does the BMT program perform different types of transplants?

The AUBMC BMT unit performs different types of transplants depending on the type of bone marrow donation:

  • Autologous Transplantation: The patient donates her/his own peripheral stem cells (or sometimes bone marrow) prior to treatment for re-infusion later.
  • Allogeneic Transplantation: The person giving the bone marrow or stem cells is a family member or a volunteer donor:

a. Matched related : The person donating marrow is related to the patient with a full matched HLA, usually a brother or sister

b. Matched Unrelated Allogeneic Transplantation (MUD): The person donating marrow is unrelated to the patient. Chances of finding an unrelated compatible donor from the general population depends on the uniqueness of tissue type

c. Haplo Identical Transplantation: The person donating marrow is related to the patient with a half matched HLA (Father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter)

d. Syngeneic Transplantation: The person donating the bone marrow or stem cells is an identical twin.

 

What patient ages does the BMT program treat?

The BMT program treats both pediatric and adult cancer patients.

 

How can I find more information on the Bone Marrow Transplant procedure?

A patient education guide on Bone Marrow Transplant is available online at our patient information resources section. It does not replace any discussion you might hold with your doctor. Feel free to share with us all your questions and concerns: EMAIL US: bmtu@aub.edu.lb

 

Do you support patients financially?

  • The BMT program supports patients through the Cancer Support Fund (CSF), a charitable organization launched in 2018. The Cancer Support Fund offers financial, assistance and emotional and psychosocial support to financially disadvantaged adult cancer patients in need, assuring that they have equal opportunity to receive appropriate healthcare services.

The CSF provides Adult Cancer Patients with financial support as assessed by the AUBMC Social Services Department with no discrimination based on gender or religion.

All patients presenting to AUBMC can also request the support of the Social Services Department, which serves as a link between the patient, community organizations, and other AUBMC staff, for evaluation and assistance. The Social Services Department is comprised of eligible individuals specialized in assisting patients with a range of social, emotional, family, and health-related problems.

 

Can we donate money?

We welcome your financial donations to support all needy adult cancer patients. If interested please contact the Cancer Support Fund:

Phone: 00961-1-350000 ext.: 7746 / 7903

Fax: 00961-1-350000 ext: 7900

Email: info@csf-lebanon.org

Facebook: Cancer Support Fund

Instagram: CancerSupFUnd

FOR DONATIONS:

Please consult the American University of Beirut Cancer Support Fund’s dedicated Giving Page  or click the image below.