If you don't know which hospitals perform BMTs in your area, ask your local doctor or the center where you were transplanted for guidance. If no BMT support group is available in your area, try locating a support group for people with your specific or a similar disease. Although not everyone in the group will be BMT patients or survivors, you'll likely find at least one person who's been through a BMT and understands your concerns. The box at left lists some national organizations that can help direct you to disease-specific support groups in your area. A local cancer treatment center may also be able to provide suggestions.
Some people find that a general cancer support group suits their needs.
Try calling the Cancer Information Service, the American Cancer Society, your local hospital or your physician for the help in locating cancer support groups in your area. The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation sponsors support programs throughout the US for families of children with cancer. See the box on page 3 for how to contact these groups. People who don't live near a major cancer center or have an unusual disease may have difficulty finding a suitable support group. Groups that provide support to spouses and children of BMT patients and survivors may also be hard to find.