News

National Bone Marrow Transplant Link Introduces New Resources for Patients

For immediate release                 

Contact:  Myra Jacobs, 248-358-1886

(Southfield, MI—April 10, 2006)  The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK) has introduced comprehensive new information resources for bone marrow/stem cell transplant patients, their caregivers, family members, and health care professionals.  The nonprofit nbmtLINK has published the fourth edition of Resource Guide for Stem Cell Transplant, Including Bone Marrow, Peripheral Blood, and Cord Blood, Friends Helping Friends.   Originally published in 1990 as Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant Resource Guide, Friends Helping Friends, the booklet has been distributed to more than 50,000 people worldwide and to many others via the internet.

The new publication provides updated information about bone marrow and stem cell transplant for both autologous (self as donor) transplants and allogeneic (related or unrelated) donor transplants.  Topics include preparation for transplant, the caregiver’s role, emotional issues, and insurance.  Detailed resources are provided for this complex and challenging treatment.  The Resource Guide can be purchased or downloaded for free at www.nbmtlink.org.

While the information provided by the Guide is not intended as medical advice, it has been reviewed and recommended by transplant physicians, nurses and social workers.  The editor was Kristen Jones, a former Rochester Hills resident, who received a stem call transplant for leukemia three years ago.  Jones now attends medical school at the University of Dayton, studying to become a pediatric oncologist.

Stem cell transplants are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and some solid tumor cancers.  In addition, individuals with immune deficiency disorders, sickle cell or aplastic anemia may benefit from transplant.

The nbmtLINK also has developed a new online searchable library for stem cell transplant patients, caregivers and health care professionals.  Visitors to www.nmbtlink.org can search in an online catalogue, print out many reference materials and link directly with related support and medical organizations. 
In addition, individual questions can be submitted to the nbmtLINK librarian, who has 20 years of medical library experience.   Inquiries from the U.S. and overseas cover such topics as transplant side effects, survival rates and treatment options.  The online library uses Cuadra, specialized software for managing information collections.  The online library began operation in January through a generous grant from the Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation for the FACE (Families and Caregivers Empowered) Project.

The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link was established in 1992 to help patients, as well as their caregivers, families and the health care community meet the challenges of bone marrow/stem cell transplant by providing vital information and support services.  Resources include information and referral services, “Peer Support on Call,” telephone and in-person support groups, publications for patients and caregivers, an EMMY award-winning video, an annual educational forum, and a comprehensive web site.