The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link

12/25/2025

12/24/2025

Love this! Click here to see the Carol of the Bells from the kids at St. Jude
https://vimeo.com/365626113?fl=pl&fe=sh

12/24/2025

For those who might be stuck in the hospital right now...we send our warm thoughts and wishes

“Light in Your Window”

An inspirational holiday poem for blood cancer warriors

This holiday looks different—
soft beeps instead of sleigh bells,
warm blankets instead of winter coats,
a hospital window instead of a frosted one at home.
But still—
there is a quiet kind of magic here.

It’s in the way you rise each morning,
even on the heavy days.
It’s in the courage that sits beside you
like a loyal friend who refuses to leave.
It’s in the hope that flickers,
steady as a candle in winter winds.

You are not forgotten,
not for a moment.
Out there, people string lights
and whisper your name with love.
Caregivers lean in closer,
carrying your fight as if it were their own.
Your story is woven into the season—
stronger, braver, more luminous
than any ornament on any tree.

Yes, this year is harder.
Yes, the days feel long.
But healing is happening quietly,
cell by cell, breath by breath,
a miracle in motion
even when you can’t feel it yet.

So hold on to the small things—
the warm cup in your hands,
the smile behind a mask,
the kindness tucked into a text, call, or wish.
These are the stars guiding you forward
through the longest night.

And when you finally step back into the world,
the lights will seem brighter,
the laughter fuller,
the season sweeter
because you fought your way here.

You are the light in your window tonight—
brave, shining, unbreakable—
and the world is gentler
just knowing you are in it.

12/23/2025

Lynette Koronowski was nearly at the finish line.

12/23/2025

In this episode of Marrow Masters, we sit down with Sue Stewart, a 36-year survivor of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the founder of BMT InfoNet. Sue walks us through her transplant journey, beginning with a difficult diagnosis in the late 1980s and the grueling induction chemotherapy that followed. With limited treatment options, she opted for an autologous bone marrow transplant—a relatively new and uncertain procedure at the time. Despite the intense side effects, including confusion and delusions, Sue recovered and slowly rebuilt her life. Her story is one of strength and long-term resilience, shaped by medical challenges and a determination to help others facing similar paths.

To listen, go to https://marrowmasters.simplecast.com/episodes/sue-stewart

12/22/2025

A gratitude exercise

The “Still Here” Gratitude Exercise

(5–10 minutes)

Purpose:
To gently shift attention toward meaning, resilience, and moments of goodness—without denying pain or forcing positivity.

Step 1: Ground First (1 minute)

Sit comfortably and take three slow breaths.
Place your feet on the floor and notice one physical sensation (warmth, contact with the chair, breath moving in and out).

Say silently:
“In this moment, I am safe enough to pause.”

Step 2: Name One Hard Thing (1 minute)

Gratitude is not bypassing reality.

Quietly acknowledge:

One thing that feels heavy right now
(e.g., fatigue, uncertainty, grief, frustration)

Then say:
“This is real, and I’m allowed to feel it.”

Step 3: Identify Three Anchors (3–5 minutes)

Write down or reflect on three things that helped you stay grounded today. These are not required to be big or inspiring.

Examples:

A supportive text

A moment of quiet

A meal you tolerated

A task you completed

A laugh, memory, or breath of fresh air

For each one, complete this sentence:

“This mattered because ______.”

Step 4: Reframe Gently (1–2 minutes)

Choose one anchor and finish this statement:

“Even though things are hard, this reminds me that ______.”

Examples:

“I am not alone.”

“My body is still trying.”

“There is still kindness in my life.”

“This season is not all of my story.”

Step 5: Close with Self-Acknowledgment (30 seconds)

End by saying (out loud or silently):

“I showed up today. That counts.”

Optional Weekly Reflection

Once a week, answer one of these:

What has helped me endure this week?

What strength did I use without realizing it?

What am I proud of myself for surviving?

Why This Works (Clinically)

Honors both pain and gratitude (avoids toxic positivity)

Builds meaning-making, a core pillar of positive psychology

Strengthens resilience and emotional regulation

Accessible even during illness, grief, or burnout

12/21/2025

In this Marrow Master episode, we speak with Rebecca Heimsoth, a young mother and survivor of myelodysplastic syndrome who underwent a bone marrow transplant in April 2022. Diagnosed shortly after turning 33, Rebecca shares her deeply personal journey of navigating transplant recovery, chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and parenting two small children. Her story is one of resilience, support, and a constant fight to reclaim her life after cancer.

To listen to this program, click here https://marrowmasters.simplecast.com/episodes/rebecca

12/20/2025

In this episode of Marrow Masters, we sit down with Dr. Joseph Pidala from the Moffitt Cancer Center to discuss chroni of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a complex condition affecting many stem cell transplant survivors. We focus on the latest prevention strategies, treatment innovations, and the critical role that clinical trials continue to play in advancing care.

To hear this podcast you can click here or listen to where you normally download your podcasts
https://marrowmasters.simplecast.com/episodes/dr-joseph-pidala

12/18/2025

https://marrowmasters.simplecast.com/episodes/season-19-thriving-despite-chronic-gvhd-trailer-vqUdNu0U

12/18/2025

For many, this time of year is satisfying and enriching. For many others, they might find themselves feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or burdened. For those who are experiencing some challenges right now, we hope this helps.

When Life Feels Heavy

1. Narrow your focus to the next right thing
When everything feels like too much, your nervous system is overloaded. Instead of asking “How do I fix my life?” ask “What is the next small thing I can do in the next 10 minutes?” Progress comes from containment, not pressure.

2. Let your body settle before your mind tries to solve
Deep breathing, gentle movement, stretching, or placing your feet firmly on the ground helps regulate the nervous system. You don’t have to think your way out of overwhelm—you can feel your way into safety first.

3. Name what you’re carrying
Overwhelm grows in silence. Putting words to it—“I’m exhausted,” “I’m grieving,” “I’m scared”—reduces its intensity. Naming the weight doesn’t make you weak; it makes the load more manageable.

4. Lower the bar without guilt
Heavy seasons require adjusted expectations. Survival mode is not failure—it’s wisdom. Doing less doesn’t mean you care less; it means you’re responding appropriately to what you’re facing.

5. Separate what is hard from who you are
Struggle is not a character flaw. Feeling depleted does not mean you are failing. You are having a human response to sustained stress, loss, uncertainty, or trauma.

6. Ask for support earlier than feels comfortable
Most people wait until they are depleted to reach out. Support is most effective when you ask before you hit empty—whether that’s practical help, emotional support, or professional care.

7. Create small islands of relief
You don’t need to feel better all day—just a few minutes at a time. Music, warmth, nature, prayer, humor, or quiet can act as emotional rest stops that help you keep going.

8. Limit decisions when possible
Decision fatigue intensifies overwhelm. Simplify meals, routines, and commitments where you can. Fewer choices conserve emotional energy.

9. Stay connected to meaning, not pressure
In heavy seasons, purpose isn’t about productivity. It’s about staying connected to what matters—love, presence, values, faith, or hope for the future.

10. Remember: this is a season, not a verdict
Overwhelming moments can convince us that this is how it will always be. That belief is a symptom of distress, not a prediction. Seasons shift—even slowly.

11. Use spiritual tools to connect to a higher power and purpose.

12. Look for small ways to support yourself and those you love through this season.