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Stem Cell Transplantation Program

Stem Cell Transplant Resources for Patients and Caregivers

  • Nurses Jessica Driscoll and Rachel Beaver with a patient

  • No matter where you are in your stem cell/bone marrow transplant journey — preparing for transplant; in the midst of treatment; or months or years post-transplant — we are committed to delivering compassionate care and offering ongoing support for you and your loved ones. Here you will find resources and tools to support you and your caregivers as you progress through the stem cell transplant process and your recovery.

    How to Choose a Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant Center

    Choosing a stem cell/bone marrow transplant center is one of the most important decisions you will make during your, or your loved one's treatment for cancer or another serious illness. With many programs to choose from, the task may seem overwhelming.

    You can download a checklist of useful questions to ask each transplant center you are considering. We invite you to read our program's answers to those questions.

  • Comprehensive Information Guide

    Stem cell/bone marrow transplant is a lengthy and complex experience. To help you and your caregivers understand the procedure and help you feel as comfortable as possible through every step of care, we have developed the comprehensive, printed education guide, Adult Stem Cell Transplantation: An Information Guide for Patients and Caregivers. Information from this guide is also online on our Stem Cell Transplant Patient Education website. Your Dana-Farber oncology nurse navigator will review these resources with you.

    screenshot from What to Expect While in the Hospital for Stem Cell Transplant video

    Video Resources

    Dana-Farber has created educational videos to help patients better understand key phases of the stem cell transplant process:

    Additional video resources are available through our patient education website. Information for accessing the website is available from your Dana-Farber oncology nurse navigator. On the website, you will find:

    • How to eat safely after stem cell transplant
    • How to take tacrolimus/sirolimus (for allogeneic stem cell transplant patients)

    Housing/Lodging Resources

    As you prepare for your stem cell transplant, you may also need to plan accommodations for your family or caregivers who will stay in Boston during your admission. Our resource specialists are here to help you learn about available housing options. We recommend you begin researching options as soon as it is clear you will be receiving your transplant, as housing options in Boston and the Longwood Medical Area are limited.

    Support Services

    We understand that cancer affects patients and their families in many ways. We offer a wide range of support services — from financial planning to creative arts to spiritual counseling — to support our patients and caregivers through their cancer experiences.

    Here are some of the services we provide:

  • Clinical Social Work

    Clinical social workers are an important part of the care team and can provide psychological support and counseling during each phase of transplant. They are available to help you cope with and manage a range of concerns or issues that may arise during your illness and treatment; our social workers understand your need for other supportive resources at Dana-Farber, at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and in the community.

    One-to-One

    One-to-One is a telephone support program that connects patients and their loved ones with a trained volunteer who has previously been through the stem cell transplant experience — someone who is personally familiar with the complex issues of cancer treatment, transplant, and survivorship.

    Family Connections

    The Family Connections program offers support for parents with cancer. It offers guidance to help families manage the impact of cancer on their lives, providing information and materials for parents, as well as special bags tailored by age for children and teens.

    Living Well Beyond Cancer

    Dana-Farber's Adult Survivorship Program helps cancer survivors manage their long-term care. Working with the program, you will receive a comprehensive survivorship assessment from a nurse practitioner who is experienced in follow-up care. The staff of the Adult Survivorship Program collaborates closely with the stem cell transplant team to ensure you receive the right care for you, at each stage of your recovery from transplant and in the days, months, and years beyond.

    Insurance and Financial Information

    Our transplant financial counselors are experienced in helping to plan for the payment of a transplant and other related services. We can help you sort through the details and steps needed to make your financial arrangements go smoothly.

    CancerConnect

    CancerConnect is an online social network that enables cancer patients and their loved ones to connect with others with similar experiences and interests. Dana-Farber has created a safe, private community exclusively for our stem cell transplant patients and families. Information on how to join is in the comprehensive education guide, or available from your Dana-Farber oncology nurse navigator.

  • Resources for International Patients