New state-of-the-art cellular therapy facility opening at AdventHealth Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla., March 4, 2024 – Kids Beating Cancer and AdventHealth announce the grand opening of a new cutting-edge Cellular Therapy Facility at AdventHealth Orlando. This groundbreaking facility provides the latest advancements in cellular therapy treatments previously not available in Central Florida.

“We are thankful to Kids Beating Cancer and the many donors for their transformative contributions, enabling AdventHealth Orlando to establish an expansive state-of-the-art cellular therapy facility with new equipment and technology,” said Pamela Clark, PhD., director of the stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program at AdventHealth Orlando. “This commitment allows us to keep up with the growing demand for existing and emerging therapies that drive cancer care forward, facilitating stem cell and CAR-T transplants. The facility will help us foster innovation in our pursuit of excellence, propelling our community towards a brighter, healthier future."

With a $1 million contribution from Kids Beating Cancer, the facility has been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that will allow medical teams to offer pediatric and adult patients revolutionary treatments only offered in a handful of hospitals nationwide.

“Kids Beating Cancer continues to look to the future, investing in the development of improved methods to treat children diagnosed with cancer more safely, effectively and with fewer side effects, and is focused on advancing the most significant breakthroughs in the treatment of pediatric cancers that will offer the best hope of a cure to children with cancer worldwide,” said Margaret Guedes, CEO, President and Founder of Kids Beating Cancer. “Through our partnership with AdventHealth Orlando, the opening of the cellular therapy facility brings the most advanced cellular therapies, previously not available, to patients diagnosed with cancer and leukemia throughout the region and the state of Florida."

“Cellular therapy is emerging as a beacon of hope for our pediatric oncology patients, thanks to the unwavering support of Kids Beating Cancer. The facility will lead to cutting-edge treatments, enhanced research opportunities, expanded treatment capacity, comprehensive care, improved outcomes and more,” said Dr. Rajan Wadhawan, senior executive officer of AdventHealth for Children. “Their previous contribution of $1 million was also vital to assist in the startup of our pediatric cellular therapy program, as it aided in establishing crucial pre-transplant testing and eliminated financial barriers for young patients seeking lifesaving treatments close to home at AdventHealth for Children.”

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About Kids Beating Cancer:

Kids Beating Cancer was founded in 1992 with the mission to provide access to life-saving treatments to children diagnosed with cancer and fund pediatric cancer research, while supporting children and their families throughout the journey to a cure. Kids Beating Cancer has raised over $30 million to fund life-saving programs for children and their families. For more information about Kids Beating Cancer, visit www.kidsbeatingcancer.org.

About the AdventHealth Central Florida Division:

AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division encompasses 17 hospitals and ERs in the four counties in and surrounding metro Orlando. The world-class hospitals, combined with a comprehensive outpatient care network, see more than 3.5 million patient visits annually.

AdventHealth also has an expansive research portfolio in Central Florida, with more than 650 clinical trials and studies in progress.

The organization has a deep commitment to serving the community and has a local financial impact of more than $1 billion annually. AdventHealth and its employees are responsible for nearly 20 percent of Central Florida’s economy.

The division’s flagship campus — AdventHealth Orlando — boasts nationally and internationally recognized programs, and serves as a major tertiary and quaternary referral hospital for much of the Southeast, the Caribbean and Latin America. Quality specialty care is provided through AdventHealth Institutes, which is nationally recognized in numerous specialties.

AdventHealth Orlando has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek and the Leapfrog Group.

Learn more about the Central Florida Division on our Newsroom.