Caregivers

A caregiver plays a significant role in the life of someone going through a marrow or cord blood transplant, whether they are a family member, partner, or friend. In addition to providing emotional support, a caregiver also attends appointments, talks to doctors, organizes information, manages finances, and represents the patient’s interests.

Being a caregiver can be both rewarding and challenging. Just as it is important to support the patient, it is also important to take care of yourself. Use these booklets, stories, Webcasts and other resources to help you navigate each step in the transplant journey, ask the right questions and become an effective caregiver.

Advocacy
These resources will help you understand what it means to be an advocate for a transplant patient and how that patient can help themselves by communicating their needs with you and the health care team.

Caregiver Challenges and Support
It’s important to learn how to balance caring for a patient and caring for yourself. Gaining the support you need personally will help you support the patient through good and tough times. You can lean on these resources for inspiration and advice.

Preparing to be a Caregiver
If you are preparing to be a caregiver, it is helpful to learn what to expect before, during and after the transplant. Your role may include managing finances, attending appointments, communicating with the medical team, and providing emotional support. Use these resources to help you learn more about what you may encounter through the transplant process.