Sixth Annual Champions Gala Raises Money for Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute

At the Renaissance Allentown Hotel on April 26, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health, hosted the sixth annual Champions Gala, benefiting Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. The sold-out event drew 250 guests and 44 sponsors to celebrate cancer survivors, caregivers and donors, and the latest advancements in cancer care and treatment. The 2025 honorees were: Cathy Cerami, RN, and Deborah Sell, Caregiver Champions; Denise Walsh, Survivor Champion; and the Ryan Family Foundation, Community Impact Champion. Together the gala’s sponsors and guests raised more than $600,000 to support the Cancer Institute – including a new gift announced that evening.

Proceeds from the event 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. Brian A. Nester, DO, MBA, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Jefferson, thanked everyone for their generosity, giving special recognition to Haldeman Lincoln as the title sponsor, Joe and Maureen Topper as the honorary chairs, Bill and Peggy Hecht as the presenting sponsor, and the Ryan Family Foundation as the reception sponsor.

Several special guests were in attendance, including former U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa). Jahan Dotson, Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver and former LVHN Impact Athlete, and his father, Al Dotson, were also recognized. The Dotsons are dedicated to raising awareness for cancer research and treatment, as Robin Dotson, Jahan’s mother, has multiple myeloma.

Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief, Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, concluded the program with exciting news from Mike and Diane Molewski. With their $250,000 leadership gift, the couple is establishing the Molewski Fund for Clinical Talent, Retention and Development, which will help the Cancer Institute attract and support the best cancer physicians and specialists.

During the awards ceremony, the Ryan Family Foundation was recognized as the 2025 Community Impact Champion for its visionary support of early detection in lung cancer screening – a program now in place across LVHN.

Denise Walsh, LVHN’s first patient to undergo histotripsy treatment was honored as the Survivor Champion.

Cathy Cerami, RN, and Deborah Sell, were honored as the Caregiver Champions. In the printed program, more cancer survivors were celebrated, sharing their incredible stories.

Champion Honoree Sponsors

Bracy Construction, Inc.

Bristol Myers Squibb

HistoSonics

Dr. Suresh Nair and Terri Nair

North Star Construction Management Inc.

PATHS, LLC

Innovation Sponsors

Allentown Radiation Oncology Associates

Amgen Oncology

Daiichi-Sankyo

Tom and Karin Hall

Intact Specialty Solutions

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