Be The Match

A BMT, also called bone marrow transplant or blood stem cell transplant, replaces the unhealthy blood-forming cells in a person’s body with healthy ones. She’s also grateful for the support she received from the Be The Match Patient Support Center. Her experience meeting Wendy and connecting with the Patient Support Center staff motivated her to become a Be The Match Peer Connect Volunteer, too. At Be The Match, our goal is to help patients and their loved ones get the support they need, when they need it from their diagnosis through recovery.

Tell your doctor about new symptoms According to Brenna O’Brien, MPH, RN, ONN-CG, BMT Patient Navigator in our Patient Support Center, “It’s better to be on the safe side and share any new symptoms with your doctor, even if everything feels new and unusual. She adds, “If your doctor says your symptoms are part of your “new normal,” they can offer you ways to manage them that maybe you didn’t think of before. I really used to enjoy going to sporting events, but I’m uncomfortable with the big crowds and stairs,” he says. The Be The Match Patient Support Center offers free support and resources to help you find and adapt to your new normal after transplant.

It started as a way to keep his family and friends updated on his journey, but quickly became the main source of support from his loved ones. If you’re comfortable sharing with close friends or family members, consider writing them a letter, an email or inviting them over for dinner. If you’re comfortable sharing with a small group of people, consider joining a support group. Even if you don’t need the emotional support, sharing your experience can help other group members through their struggles.

The chemotherapy wiped out her leukemia, but unfortunately, when she was ready to have her blood stem cell transplant,  Latral’s leukemia returned. Raykell joined the Be The Match Registry ® in hopes of being his match, but unfortunately, she couldn’t help. The Tuesday following that service, Raykell got the call from Be The Match. The Match New York Soiree in front of a room full of Be The Match ® supporters.