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GVHD DAY

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No matter where you are in your GVHD journey

WE HAVE RESOURCES THAT CAN HELPWE HAVE RESOURCESTHAT CAN HELP

Learn about treatment options, better understand your condition, and advocate for yourself and others

One of the most critical things you can do after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant is monitor yourself for GVHD symptoms, even after Day 100. That’s when most chronic GVHD symptoms occur. Remember, you will have fewer check-ins with your transplant team as time goes on—so self-monitoring becomes even more important.

GET STARTED HERE

You can learn more about monitoring GVHD symptoms by selecting that topic on the menu below. There are other topics you may find helpful as well. Not seeing what you’re looking for? Check out GVHD Alliance-approved resources here.

Select any tab to see more.

Monitoring GVHD Symptoms

Learning About GVHD Treatment

Finding a Doctor for GVHD

Exploring Clinical Studies

SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM

Find free support and services for after your (or your loved one’s) transplant

MY NMDP

Use this app to connect with the transplant community, track your symptoms, and more

Download on Google Play Download on the App Store

12+ MONTHS POSTTRANSPLANT CARE GUIDE

See the most recent
recommendations for
posttransplant care

Download Guide

CARING CONNECTIONS

One-on-one phone support from survivors and caregivers

GVHD SUPPORT GROUPS

Connect with the transplant community and find tools that can help with your journey

PEER CONNECT PROGRAM

Talk with someone who knows what the transplant journey is like

VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS

Social workers lead topic-specific discussions with a group of transplant survivors

DIRECTORY OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS FAMILIAR WITH GVHD

Find psychologists, social workers, and counselors

PACES PROGRAM

Social workers provide patients and caregivers with one-on-one emotional support

SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM

Find free support and services for after your (or your loved one’s) transplant

MY NMDP

Use this app to connect with the transplant community, track your symptoms, and more

Download on Google Play Download on the App Store

12+ MONTHS POSTTRANSPLANT CARE GUIDE

See the most recent
recommendations for
posttransplant care

Download Guide

CARING CONNECTIONS

One-on-one phone support from survivors and caregivers

GVHD SUPPORT GROUPS

Connect with the transplant community and find tools that can help with your journey

PEER CONNECT PROGRAM

Talk with someone who knows what the transplant journey is like

VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS

Social workers lead topic-specific discussions with a group of transplant survivors

DIRECTORY OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS FAMILIAR WITH GVHD

Find psychologists, social workers, and counselors

PACES PROGRAM

Social workers provide patients and caregivers with one-on-one emotional support

LIVING WITH GVHD

Living with acute or chronic GVHD can be overwhelming. If you’re finding it difficult to cope, know that you are not alone—in fact, people who have GVHD have described it as a “full-time job.” GVHD can bring about challenges with:

Physical functioning
Fatigue

General health
Social functioning

Psychological distress (depression, anxiety)

If you have either type of GVHD and are struggling, tell your health care provider. They may be able to refer you to other supportive care services. It’s helpful to have different types of professionals on your care team, which may include specialists for your physical symptoms as well as your mental health.

Below you’ll find a few different types of resources that may help along your GVHD journey.

LEARN ABOUT GVHD

Graft-versus-host disease, or GVHD, is a condition that can happen after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Donor cells (the graft) that a person (the host) has received attack that person’s organs and/or tissues. The donor cells do this because they mistake the host’s organs and/or tissues as a threat.

Thousands of people are diagnosed with
GVHD each year in the United States alone.
But the number of lives impacted is immeasurable.

Sometimes GVHD symptoms affect so many organs that people can’t live their lives the way they are used to. Even daily routines can be affected. In severe cases, GVHD can be life-threatening.

Choose an option below to learn more about the types and symptoms of GVHD.

There are 2 kinds of GVHD—acute GVHD (aGVHD) and chronic GVHD (cGVHD). People who receive bone marrow/stem cell transplants can develop either kind, or both.

aGVHD usually occurs in the first 3 months after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant, but it can occur later as well
It can affect the skin, the gut, and/or the liver
The skin is usually the first organ affected

Symptoms of aGVHD may include

A rash that looks like measles

Nausea that doesn’t go away
Vomiting
Poor appetite
Diarrhea that can cause severe abdominal pain and cramping

Liver issues
Jaundice

IS YOUR CHILD HAVING A BONE MARROW/STEM CELL TRANSPLANT?

These videos were created to help
kids know what to expect.

Watch videos in English

Ver videos en Español

FIND RESOURCES FOR YOU

The GVHD Alliance is made up of 9 organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people with GVHD. Here you can find resources from our Alliance members: helpful web pages, downloads, videos, presentations, podcasts, and more. These resources can help you:

Understand the risk of GVHD

Recognize the symptoms of GVHD earlier

Optimize discussions with health care teams

GET STARTED HERE

Select the filter tab to narrow your results. You can filter by resource type, topic, and symptom.

RESOURCES FOR GVHD ADVOCATES

Do you want to help the GVHD community? These tools were created for you to share with others and help get the word out on social media. Thank you for getting involved!

GVHD Caregiver Support Tool

English

Español

GVHD Signs and Symptoms

English

Español

GVHD Day 100 Milestone

English

Spanish version coming soon!

GVHD Fact Sheet

English

Español

GVHD Patient Discussion Guide

English

Español

GVHD Day 100 Milestone

English

Spanish version coming soon!

GVHD Nutrition & You

English

Spanish version coming soon!

GVHD Day is celebrated on February 17th each year.

It’s a day to raise awareness of GVHD, while highlighting the need for more research and support for everyone impacted.

Learn more and see how you can get involved today.

GVHD Caregiver Support Tool

English

Español

GVHD Signs and Symptoms

English

Español

GVHD Day 100 Milestone

English

Spanish version coming soon!

GVHD Fact Sheet

English

Español

GVHD Patient Discussion Guide

English

Español

GVHD Day 100 Milestone

English

Spanish version coming soon!

GVHD Nutrition & You

English

Spanish version coming soon!

GVHD Day is celebrated on February 17th each year.

It’s a day to raise awareness of GVHD, while highlighting the need for more research and support for everyone impacted.

Learn more and see how you can get involved today.

WE FOCUS ON THE PARTS OF GVHD WE DON’T OFTEN TALK ABOUT

You’ll hear from people with GVHD and caregivers alike.

MARROW MASTERS PODCAST

Season 14 of Marrow Masters, a podcast series produced by the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK), focuses on cGVHD—the parts people don’t often talk about—including topics such as male and female sexuality, atypical presentations of cGVHD, lung issues, psychosocial support, personal perspectives, and more.

Season 14 is now available.

Listen Now

ADVOCATE SPOTLIGHT

John York is a well-known actor who plays Mac Scorpio on General Hospital. In December 2022, John was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, and smoldering multiple myeloma—2 blood and bone marrow disorders. Last December, he received a blood stem cell transplant. John is now back at work and is a great advocate of NMDP and the GVHD Alliance.

Learn More About John's Story on YouTube

Connect With John on X to Read His GVHD Messages of Hope