Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute Celebrates Seventh Annual Champions Gala

On Saturday, May 2, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health, hosted the seventh annual Champions Gala at Renaissance Allentown Hotel. The event celebrated cancer survivors, caregivers and donors, as well as the latest advancements in cancer care and treatment. Together, 250 guests and 29 sponsors raised nearly $330,000 to support Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, including Title Sponsor Haldeman Lincoln, Dinner Sponsors Joe and Maureen Topper, Champion Impact Award Sponsor Peggy and Bill Hecht and Survivor Cocktail Reception Sponsors AbbVie and Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. 

Dr. Nair gave a moving speech about the history of the Champions Gala and the key leaders and donors who believed in his vision for the Cancer Institute over the years. “It all comes down to special people and the T-cell,” Dr. Nair said. “This gala has helped inspire transformational investments from the Topper, Hall and Kelly families. Their generosity enabled the launch of lifesaving programs unique to our region – including stem cell transplants, CAR-T therapy and the pancreatic cancer vaccine trials. Tonight several of our survivor honorees have directly benefited from these programs and philanthropy.”

Joining the celebration was Andrew Chapman, DO, Director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Executive Vice President of Oncology Services for Jefferson Health and Professor of Medical Oncology. Through continued collaboration, Dr. Chapman identified even greater opportunities to make an impact on people’s lives, such as enterprise-wide cancer screening, survivorship programs and access to the most advanced clinical trials. 

In recognition of Dr. Nair’s remarkable dedication to cancer patients and the Cancer Institute, Joe Topper presented him with the Champion of Champions award. Brian Nester, DO, MBA, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Jefferson, took the stage to add a personal tribute to Dr. Nair: “He’s one of the top five doctors I’ve ever known and, more importantly, the best human being.”

Funds from the event will help patients with cancer cover nonclinical expenses and make mental health counseling services free of charge. These critical resources make a huge difference in improving the lives of patients and their families. 

During the awards ceremony, Peter and Odete Kelly were recognized as the 2026 Community Impact Champions for their visionary $12 million dollar gift to establish the Peter and Odete Kelly Center for Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy. 

In the printed program, more cancer survivors were celebrated, sharing their incredible stories.

Bracy Construction, Inc.
Gilead Oncology
North Star Construction Management Inc.
PATHS, LLC

Allentown Radiation Oncology Associates
Daiichi-Sankyo
Tom and Karin Hall
Incyte
Natera