Hematologic cancers are those cancers that occur in cells of the immune system or in blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow. As a pioneer in advancing care for all hematologic cancers and related blood disorders, City of Hope's Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation leads the field as one of the largest and most successful transplant centers in the United States.
Why Choose City of Hope
City of Hope’s National Medical Center in Duarte, California, has been recognized as a Top five “Best Hospital” for cancer in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 rankings. City of Hope® is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), reflecting our national leadership in advancing research and treatment. NCCN member institutions are recognized for their world-renowned experts and for treating complex, rare and aggressive forms of cancer.
Led by Eileen P. Smith, M.D., Francis & Kathleen McNamara Distinguished Chair in Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, our dedicated, multidisciplinary team combines innovative research discoveries with superior clinical treatments to improve outcomes for patients with:
- Leukemia (cancer of the blood cells) at the Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research
- Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic cells) at the Toni Stephenson Lymphoma Center
- Myeloma (cancer of plasma cells) at the Judy and Bernard Briskin Center for Multiple Myeloma Research
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (blood abnormalities that can be life-threatening or lead to cancer)
- Other hematologic disorders
The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Center has ranked City of Hope as an “overperforming” transplant center, and we are the only U.S. transplant center with this recognition for over a decade. City of Hope's transplant program is accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy — the standard of excellence for blood and bone marrow transplant programs in the United States.
Hematology Leadership
Eileen P. Smith, M.D., chair of the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, leads City of Hope with her expertise in hematology and oncology.
Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute
A world leader in the treatment of blood cancers, City of Hope launched an institute to specifically focus on treating people with serious blood and bone marrow diseases. Through this institute, laboratory and physician investigators are expanding their work and developing new therapies and possible cures for leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Celebration of Life Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion
The Celebration of Life Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion is an annual highlight at City of Hope. Proudly wearing buttons indicating the anniversary of their “second birthday,” our patients return to City of Hope Duarte to reunite, rejoice and reminisce as survivors. As part of each reunion, two patients also meet their donors for the first time to thank them for the gift of life.
