A second chance at life is our first priority

A History of the nbmtLINK
Established in 1992, the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals before, during, and after a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.  Myra Jacobs founded the nbmtLINK in response to the plight of a woman, Sandy, living in her area. 

Sandy was diagnosed with leukemia and needed to leave her 2-year-old child behind in Michigan to receive a lifesaving bone marrow transplant in Seattle. Sandy was emotionally distraught, not knowing whether she would ever be able to see her daughter again. These thoughts lingered while she spent weeks recovering, in great need of support through this isolating and uncertain time. To ensure that others going through transplant would have this support, Ms. Jacobs worked to create the nbmtLINK. For her work, Ms. Jacobs was recognized through a 2004 national public service award from the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

The Need for Support and Information
The idea for a national organization grew out of a far smaller project, albeit one that has become a hallmark of the LINK. It was more than a decade ago that hospitals began developing bone marrow transplant programs and hiring transplant specialists, notes Jacobs, nbmtLINK Founding Director.
"There was a group of us who could see this trend happening, but what we all noticed was that there were not a lot of supportive or informative resources out there for people."
"One of the biggest complaints we'd hear (from the transplant patients) is, 'We've made 10 phone calls and no one can help us,'" adds Pat Steele, RN/BSN, former coordinator of the bone marrow transplant program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Care Center and now with Karmanos Cancer Center.

As a remedy, the group began assembling relevant bits of information from dozens of disparate sources and later that year published a booklet. The Resource Guide for Stem Cell Transplant, Including Bone Marrow, Peripheral Blood, and Cord Blood: Friends Helping Friends, now in its fourth edition, not only lists the addresses and phone numbers for support networks, donor information and financial resources, but also explains the transplant process, and discusses practical issues and emotional concerns.

Current Programs & Services
From this humble booklet, the nbmtLINK has expanded its programs and services to include the following:

• An extensive volunteer peer support program
• Resource referrals for patients and health professionals
• Educational booklets:
  • Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Frequently Asked Questions
  • Resource Guide for Stem Cell Transplant, Including Bone Marrow, Peripheral Blood, and Cord Blood: Friends Helping Friends
  • Survivorship Guide for Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant, Coping with Late Effects
  • Caregivers' Guide for Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant: Practical Perspectives
  • Voices of Hope & Healing for Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant (Print Version)
  • Voices of Hope & Healing (Interactive Version)
• nbmtLINK Agency Brochures
  • LINKING Curing & Caring from Diagnosis Through Survivorship, PDF of one page listing of nbmtLINK resources & publications
  • LINKING Curing & Caring (English version)
  • LINKING Curing & Caring (en Espanol)
• A comprehensive Web site (www.nbmtlink.org)
• Webcasts & Podcasts:
  • Understanding & Coping with Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease (cGvHD)
  • Impact of Cancer & BMT on Spouse Caregivers
  • Coping with Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease in Children and Adults
• Telephone support groups
• Celebrating Second Birthdays – a survivorship recognition program
• DVD: The New Normal: Life After Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant, a remarkable film about six transplant survivors and their caregivers.  Also available at www.youtube.com/nbmtlink  

Supporting the nbmtLINK
The nbmtLINK relies on funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations to support these important programs. Tax deductible contributions are gratefully received and acknowledged. Please consider making a contribution today.

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