Hi e2@atith A Program That Offers rope To Young People Facing A Transplant (NAPSA)—There’s hopeful news for young people with a life-threatening disease such as feet from my bed.” Survivors such as Smith often make remarkable comebacks, but, thankfully, he didn’t have to do it alone. In this case, his friends were a huge part of his recovery. Said Smith, “I knew they were there, and I could hear them joking around and still felt like I was a part of that, even though I wasn’t saying or con- leukemia, lymphoma or other genetic disorders that are often treated with a marrow or cord blood transplant. Survival rates for childhood cancer have increased dramati- cally in recent decades. In fact, one in 250 adults under the age of 45 will be a childhood cancer survivor by the year 2010. But as survivors, these young people face a tributing anything. Just knowing they were there really helped.” Resources to help survivors cope with the new, often frightening world they face after a daunting array of challenges. After transplant, which includes radiation and chemotherapy, survivors are behind in school and face a long, arduous recovery. The good news is that these patients and their families can turn to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) for help and support through every step of the transplant journey. Through its Office of Patient Advocacy, the NMDP has devel- oped “Forward”—a program designed to help teenagers and young adults learn about and understand the challenges of liv- ing with life-threatening dis- serious illness can be minimal. A program has been created to deal with challenges associated and also participated in the “Forward” program. marrow or cord blood transplant. teenagers going through similar situations understand and cope help teenagers and young adults with a marrow transplant. Smith received a lifesaving marrow transplant at age 15 and then spent months in the hospi- tal recovering. Today, he is getting back on track, but it was a challenging road that led him there. “Going through a transplant is really difficult and everyone eases, such as leukemia, andlife after a marrow transplant. has a different way of coping. The important thing is to express of a young man named Joe Smith. He was leading a normallife in and friends,” said Dr. Margaret MacMillan, transplant physician. Said Smith, “I did not have energy sometimes. I mean it was a chore for me just to get out of bed and walk over to the bathroom, which was maybe like 10 For example, there is the story Bloomington, Minn., where he enjoyed swimming, golfing and fishing, until he was diagnosed with aplastic anemia—a condition most effectively treated with a Fortunately, Smith had access to how you're feeling to your family This program helps other with issues such as living with cancer, special concerns for teenage cancer survivors and how to makethe transition back into everyday life, such as school and relationships after a marrow transplant. “I consider myself one of the lucky ones,” said Smith. “There are many patients who are having a more difficult time than I am. Someday, I hope they find a cure for childhood diseases and cancer so no kid will have to go through what so many others and I have gone through.” To learn more, visit Www.marrow.org or contact the Office of Patient Advocacy at 1-888-999-6743.
