A blood and marrow transplant replaces a person's abnormal stem cells with healthy ones from another person (a donor) and is most often used to treat patients with blood cancers or other blood disorders. This procedure allows the recipient to get new stem cells that work properly. We were the first institution to successfully complete a bone marrow transplant– back in 1968.
BMT & Cellular Therapies Support Services
Our clinical social workers play a major role in your care while you and your family are in this challenging situation. The Adult BMT & Cellular Therapies program at M Health Fairview has exceptional, experienced social workers who:
- Work exclusively with BMT patients and their families.
- Have completed a Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited graduate school program.
- Are Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers who have special expertise in the field of blood and marrow transplantation
- Work closely with other members of the treatment team throughout the entire treatment process.
How Social Workers Support You
You will meet with your social worker during your first visit. This social worker will be available to help you and your family throughout the process and help you prepare for and cope with the emotional and practical aspects of BMT.
Your social worker will also contact you before you come to the hospital for the pre-transplant work-up evaluation. The social worker will talk to you about practical issues, such as transportation, resources and housing. During your pre-transplant work-up, your social worker will be there to further discuss your needs and to help your family prepare for the transplant. The social worker will also discuss the emotional impact of having a blood or marrow transplant.
While you are receiving care in the hospital and clinic, your social worker will be available to provide counseling. She or he can help you with specific concerns or problems like:
- Provide you, or spouse and family with counseling if any of you have emotional concerns
- Teach relaxation and coping skills
- Promote skills for coping with illness and treatment
- Help with problem solving, advocacy, and communication about your care plan
- Creatively respond to patient/family needs throughout the BMT treatment experience
Our social workers lead educational and support groups that can provide you, your caregiver and family members with information and support. Support groups offer patients and families the chance to share their experiences with one another.
The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program's social workers can also help you cope with issues such as:
- Separation from family, friends and home
- Illness and disability
- Physical, social, emotional and financial changes caused by illness
- Day-to-day problems resulting from stress
- Change and adjustment issues of children and family members
Individual and family counseling and support groups are provided throughout your stay in Minneapolis. Our social work department can also help with:
- Coordinating interpreter services
- Finding temporary housing in the Twin Cities
- Transportation assistance information
Patient and Visitor Information
For more information like lodging and accommodations, please visit the Patients and Visitors page.
Personal Support
Financial support at M Health Fairview:
When you are referred to our program, we will connect you with one of our financial services representatives. This person will help you figure out your insurance coverage for BMT. He or she can also provide you with resources for other financial assistance. Our BMT Financial Overview will give you information about the costs related to BMT. It will take you through the steps of the payment process, whether you have health insurance, or are self-pay (out-of-pocket).
The Transplant Financial Case Managers manage and/or coordinate all financial issues related to the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. They work closely with the BMT patients, payers, social workers, nurse coordinators, physicians and other members of the transplant team. The case managers work with patients from the time they are identified as possible transplant candidates through one-year post transplant. They do stop working with a patient once he or she is no longer considered a transplant candidate. We will assign a case manager to you based on the first letter of your last name. In addition, your last name determines with whom you should speak within the transplant billing office or in pharmacy services regarding your bills.
Financial support from outside agencies:
Some organizations offer limited financial assistance to help with costs not covered by insurance. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is one such organization (for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome or multiple myeloma) and they can also be reached by phone at 1-800-955-4572 (limited resources available). Cure for Lymphoma Foundation (for patients with Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma) can be reached at 1-800-235-6848. Check with your social worker for additional resources.
The Federal government has two income insurance programs available for adults: Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. Eligibility is based on your doctor verifying that your disability will last one year or longer. You may qualify to start receiving benefits at an earlier date. You may learn more about this option on their website, apply online or have an application sent to your home. Those who qualify for Supplemental Security Insurance (based on meeting minimum income requirements) are likely to be eligible for Medical Assistance. This can help cover medical care expenses.
If you are covered under your employer’s disability plan (short and/or long term), the employer will assist you in determining when to apply.
If you are a veteran, contact your VA office to ask if you are eligible for any programs based on your service record and disability.
Fundraising may be done locally on your behalf. You may want the assistance/expertise of a fundraising organization if you think you will have uncovered medical expenses. Contact the National Marrow Donor Program, Office of Patient Advocacy, for a list of fundraising organizations. You can reach NMDP at 1-888-999-6743 or online here, to learn more about fundraising for a friend or family member.
Children may benefit from connecting with others in their age group who have a family member being treated for cancer. The American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society offer children’s groups in many locations. Visit Kids Konnected online or call toll-free at 1-800-899-2866. They offer advice about how to talk with children about cancer. Your social worker may refer you to other groups that are offered at the hospital or in the community.
Support groups for adults and family members often help during stressful times. They can provide answers to commonly asked questions. They can also provide mutual support from others who have had a transplant. The Blood and Marrow Transplant & Cellular Therapies Program offers support groups at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. For other groups in the Twin Cities metro area you may contact your social worker or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.
Identify your personal source of spirituality such as a faith community, meditation, reading, music or rituals. If you are a member of a faith community, arrange ways to keep in touch. People may want your address so they may send cards, offer support and words of encouragement.
A chaplain is available to you during your treatment at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. Please visit our Spiritual Health page for more information.
As you feel able to, consider talking honestly with friends, family and colleagues to help them understand the types of support that you will need during your treatment.
Support comes from many sources. As is comfortable for you reach out to work colleagues, neighbors, and community organizations, a religious or spiritual group, extended family or supportive friends. A group may offer to provide meals for family members at home while you are at the hospital. Others may offer to provide rides for children to school activities. Read more about assistance with coordinating these needs here.
The CaringBridge web site offers a place for you to set up a web page to keep your family and friends informed during your hospital stay. It also provides a place for you to receive support and encouragement from those you love. To protect the privacy of our patients and staff, please do not identify other patients or health professionals on your CaringBridge page.
There are a number of legal and logistical issues that you may want to consider as you prepare for your BMT treatment.
If you do not share a joint checking account with someone, you may want to designate someone to handle your financial affairs temporarily.
You may want to know your rights under the "Americans with Disabilities Act." Certain aspects of the law can help protect you against discrimination upon your return to work.
Perhaps your minor children will be separated from both parents at certain times during your treatment. If so, you need to give permission for another adult to take them for medical care (emergency or routine) in your absence. Generally, a signed statement will suffice, but you should check this out with your children’s pediatrician.
Perhaps you are interested in estate planning. This includes how a trust might work for you, planning for guardianship of your children if you are a single parent, completing advance health care directives or designating power of attorney. Depending on how complicated your financial or legal affairs, you may want to consult a lawyer who is versed in financial/family law. Many employers have employee assistance programs that include access to legal advice. You can also contact your local bar association for referrals to someone practicing in this area of law.
Contact your employer to make arrangements regarding absence from work. Seek out your Employee Human Resource Representative to help you understand your benefits and responsibilities. Your Human Resource Representative should be able to provide you with a list of tasks that you will need to complete in order to qualify for disability and continuation of insurance. Know your rights regarding Cobra insurance benefits, work disability and family medical leaves.
Ask your physician about the estimated length of your disability. You may qualify for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Insurance. The Human Resource Representative at work or your social worker can help you understand how these programs may apply to your situation.