The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Northside Hospital (NH-BMT) provides the best of both worlds—clinical excellence and compassionate care. We are committed to being the premier program in the Southeast, providing exceptional, state-of-the-art care to patients undergoing acute leukemia treatment, CAR T-cell immunotherapy, and blood and marrow stem cell transplantation. New patient brochure
2024 National Leaders in Allogeneic Transplantation
NH-BMT is the ONLY BMT program in the country and the only BMT program in Georgia to have achieved survival outcomes that significantly exceeded the expected survival rate for allogeneic and unrelated donor transplants for the last 16 consecutive reporting cycles (2009–2024) and is one of only 12 national centers (less than 10% of all centers) to over-perform for the current annual reporting cycle.
The Program’s actual one-year survival rate, as reported in the December 2024 Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) final 2024 Transplant Center Specific Survival Report and nmdp.org is 82.6%.*
For additional survival data details, visit bmtga.com/bmt-survival-data.
*Survival information includes only patients who received their first allogeneic transplant between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022, using unrelated or related donors and who had reported follow-up.
Dr. Hong De Sa Joins the Blood and Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia and the Northside BMT/Leukemia/Immunotherapy Programs
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Hong De Sa to our practice and programs. Dr. De Sa is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, with fellowship training in adult and pediatric hematology and oncology.
She has authored or co-authored multiple research articles and abstracts in leading peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Leukemia & Lymphoma, Cancer Research, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Dr. De Sa’s clinical and research interests include blood and marrow transplantation, CAR T-cell therapy, TIL therapy, and acute leukemia and hematologic malignancy therapies.
We are proud to have Dr. De Sa join our team and look forward to the expertise, passion, and innovation she brings to our patients, colleagues, and the broader medical community.
Dr. De Sa can be reached at 404-255-1930.
Dr. Joseph Maakaron Joins the BMTGA and the Northside BMT/Leukemia/Immunotherapy Programs
We are excited to welcome Dr. Joseph Maakaron to our practice and program. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will enhance patient care and research capabilities.
Before joining us, Dr. Maakaron served as Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota. He held several key leadership roles, including co-chair of the BIG10 BMT Committee and BMT Fellowship Director at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Maakaron has authored or co-authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications in the areas of hematology, leukemia, and stem cell transplantation. His clinical research focuses on the modern applications of cellular and targeted therapies for treating lymphomas, leukemias, and other hematologic malignancies. He is also committed to advancing strategies that reduce treatment-related toxicities to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
We are proud to have Dr. Maakaron as part of our team and look forward to the expertise he brings to our patients and colleagues alike.
Dr. Maakaron can be reached at 404-255-1930.
From pain to hope: A sickle cell survivor's journey
Chelsea Uche, a 23-year-old sickle cell survivor, shares her inspiring journey from diagnosis to overcoming the challenges of living with this inherited blood disorder. Diagnosed with sickle cell shortly after birth, Chelsea describes how the disease affected her physically, emotionally and socially.
“Growing up with sickle cell, I had a very tough time with everything, truthfully. I was in the hospital consistently. I suffered with very bad chronic pain,” she said.
Chelsea's journey took a turn when her brother Julian became her bone marrow donor, offering her a chance at a healthier life. Chelsea’s hematologic oncologist, Dr. Scott Solomon played a significant role in her recovery, reminding her that she was too young to go through all of this and ensuring her life would change for the better.
Amtagvi (lifileucel) is now available as SECOND line therapy for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma
Northside’s Immunotherapy Program is the FIRST approved TIL treatment center in Georgia.
Eligibility: To schedule a patient consultation, please call The Blood & Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia at 404-255-1930.
>18 years of age with unresectable or metastatic melanoma
Must have progressed on at least 1 previous systemic therapy, including a PD-L1 antibody, and if they had BRAF V600E mutation-positive disease, a BRAF or BRAF/MEK inhibitor
At least 1 resectable lesion
Patient Stories
Natalie’s story: From diagnosis to double transplant
After battling uterine fibroids, Natalie Grubbs was unexpectedly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, followed by a rare secondary cancer that required two stem cell transplants. Here, the Atlanta resident shares her story in her own words — from diagnosis and treatment to healing, hope and resilience. What are the events that led up to your cancer diagnosis?
Before my cancer diagnosis, I had suffered from uterine fibroids for years. The fibroids caused miscarriages, a distended abdomen and excruciating periods with extremely heavy.......Click Here to read full interview
Momta's story: Surviving leukemia and heart failure
In 1993, while living in New York City, Momta Jahan was diagnosed with and treated for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It was a challenging time for her. With two young daughters — ages 7 1/2 years and 13 months — Momta said she had no choice but to fight for her life. Thankfully, she achieved complete remission. In 1997, Momta and her family moved to Clarkston, Georgia. Then, in late August 2021, she began feeling weak and fatigued and noticed she was bruising easily.Click Here to read full interview
Marguerite’s story: Triumph over double-hit lymphoma
Marguerite Madden's journey began with an unexpected back pain that led to a life-changing lymphoma diagnosis. Supported by her family, friends and an exceptional medical team, despite the grueling treatments and setbacks, Marguerite stayed determined, continuing her work as a professor and rebuilding her strength. Now, nearly two years after a stem cell transplant, she remains cancer-free, embracing life with hope and gratitude … and running. Click Here to read full interview
