NMDP Patient and Caregiver Emotional Support (PACES)
Whether you or your loved one is getting ready to have a blood or marrow transplant (BMT) or have had a BMT, it can take a toll on your emotional health. Through the NMDPSM PACES program, you can receive free, short-term virtual counseling from a licensed social worker to help you navigate the emotional and mental health challenges of your diagnosis, treatment and life after BMT.
You can get help through the NMDP PACES program if you're a BMT patient, caregiver or loved one. Our social workers talk to you one-on-one by phone or on a video call. Support is offered in both English and Spanish.
What is the NMDP PACES program?
Our NMDP PACES social workers can help you:
- Identify emotional, social and practical problems around illness and BMT (also known as blood stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant)
- Improve your coping skills and quality of life
- Find resources to help you plan for what's ahead or adjust to life after transplant
Funding from AstraZeneca in support of PACES made this video possible.
How can the NMDP PACES program help me?
You choose how and when you want us to support. We offer many ways to get support.
- Regular phone or video calls with a social worker in our 8-sesson counseling program
- Check-in calls with a social worker for brief emotional support
- One-time conversations to discuss options for support at NMDPSM and within your local community
- Survivorship Chats for BMT recipients to share their experiences and challenges with each other
What kind of topics can I talk to an NMDP social worker about?
- Adjusting to challenges that happen because of your diagnosis or treatment
- Developing coping strategies and managing emotions, such as distress or sadness
- Improving communication with your health care team and family members
- Adjusting to the role of being a caregiver for someone before or after BMT
- Finding reliable mental health-related information and community resources
- Preparing for treatments, the transplant and being in the hospital
NMDP Survivorship Chats
Discover how NMDP Survivorship Chats give BMT recipients space to talk about their experiences with other who have been through BMT. NMDP holds the free, virtual support group twice a month.
Being a BMT caregiver
Being a caregiver for someone before or after BMT can be challenging. Todd shares what the experience was like for him—and why relying on a support system and caring for himself were key.
Dealing with fatigue
Fatigue is common for many people before, during and after a BMT. Ashlee shares how she learned to cope with fatigue throughout her leukemia journey and BMT.
Who can get support from NMDP PACES?
- People who have had a BMT or plan to get a BMT
- People living with sickle cell disease who are considering transplant as a treatment option
- People having CAR-T cell therapy for a blood cancer
- Caregivers and family members of patients who plan to get or who had a BMT
- Bereaved caregivers or family members of transplant recipients
Who will I talk to on the NMDP PACES team?
You'll connect with a licensed NMDP social worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree. Our social workers understand BMT and the complexities that come with it, so they can provide the emotional support you and your loved ones need.
Our social workers know that each person has different life experiences and provide culturally responsive and inclusive counseling services. They offer support in English and Spanish.
Additional support from NMDP for BMT patients and their loved ones
Along with emotional support for BMT patients, caregivers and loved ones, we also offer free guidance, resources and education as you learn about transplant and recover after BMT.
Discover how our NMDP Patient Support Center can support you throughout your transplant journey.