Caregiver Requirements
You will need to have a family member or friend designated to be your caregiver during the BMT process which typically lasts 3 to 9 months. This person should be able to drive you to and from your clinic appointments and help you with your self care activities such as medications and catheter care. You are required to stay within 50 miles of Northside Hospital while you are preparing for and/or undergoing your BMT treatment.

Lodging
Knowing that local lodging can be a significant stress for patients and caregivers, the BMT and Leukemia Programs at Northside Hospital offer patients and their caregivers several lodging options. Local discounted hotel suites are available, as well as, complimentary lodging from American Cancer Society Hope Lodge. Several fully furnished corporate apartments have been donated to the program by a local church. The apartments are managed by The Stovall Hope Foundation. Coordinators will assist you in finding the best lodging option and guide each patient and family through the process to meet their needs.

Financial Coordinators
Financial coordinators are available through both the physician office and Northside Hospital. Patients will meet with both the Northside Hospital and physician financial coordinators at the beginning of the transplant/leukemia process to assist with financial and insurance related planning. Financial coordinators are available throughout the entire transplant process. We accept most major health insurance plans, including Medicare and Georgia Medicaid. Your insurance coverage will depend on your individual policy. Researching the details of your policy will help you plan effectively for the cost of your transplant. Our knowledgeable financial representatives are available to work with you to help you understand your policy deductibles, coinsurance, policy maximum(s), prescription coverage, and other potential out-of-pocket expenses.

Health Psychologist
The program has a full time dedicated BMT/Leukemia health psychologist who monitors patient's cognitive and emotional status prior to and during the transplant process. The health psychologist offers patient and family with in depth emotional support, assesses and teaches coping skills and relaxation/stress management techniques.

Patient Support
In 2008, the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Northside Hospital held its first Survivors Reunion. The theme was 'Believing in the Miracle of Transplant BMT'. More than 500 guests attended this celebration which included more than 150 patients, some of whom were 10 years post transplant. This commemorative event was truly embraced by both staff and patients. At this event, the Network of Hope for transplant patients was launched. The Network of Hope joins current patients with survivors of similar background (diagnosis, age, type of transplant) to have an opportunity to learn about the transplant experience from a patient's perspective.