Transplant and Cellular Therapies Team
The Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Center at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center offers several treatment choices for people with blood cancers. Our program is the only stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program in New Mexico, and it holds FACT Accreditation.
“The ability to conduct autologous and allogeneic cell therapies transplantation fills a large gap that previously existed in the care of patients with blood cancers in New Mexico. Together, with other advanced therapies at UNM, we should be able to treat nearly every type of [blood] disease.”
– Matthew Fero, MD, FACP
Bone Marrow Stem Cell Program Director
The Only Program in New Mexico
Our team follows you from the beginning of your cellular therapy treatment through completion.
We offer:
- Autologous stem cell transplants. If you have lymphoma or myeloma, this transplant may help you. An autologous transplant means that you will receive your own stem cells. This procedure allows you to receive high-dose chemotherapy that would otherwise be harmful to your bone marrow.
- Allogeneic stem cell transplants. If you have leukemia or other blood cancers, this transplant may help you. This procedure can help you by replacing your damaged bone marrow with healthy bone marrow cells from a donor and also allows you to receive chemotherapy that would otherwise be harmful to your bone marrow.. The donor may be a family member (related) or someone else (unrelated).
- Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. If you have a blood cancer that isn’t responding to other therapies, this therapy may help you. It uses a modified subset of your own white blood cells to enhance your immune system so that you can fight your blood cancer
Contact Us Online:
Planning for your bone marrow transplant can be an overwhelming process.
We want you to know you are not alone. Your team includes, physicians, advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants), nurses, social workers, and a nutritionist. We also recommend these trusted resources.
General Resources
- BMT Infonet is a not-for profit advocacy organization that empowers patients with knowledge to make decisions about transplant. They offer online education (written and video), peer support, and personal guidance. BMT Infonet
- Be the Match is part of the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). It is the most diverse marrow registry in the world. It offers patient and caregiver education and information for possible bone marrow donors. Donate Marrow or Blood Stem Cells | Be The Match
- Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a not-for-profit organization that funds cancer research, policy and advocacy, and patient support. They offer patient education, peer to peer support, local or regional support groups, online support groups, and patient financial assistance (available through social work). https://www.lls. org/
There is a lot of information on these sites! We encourage you to explore.
Financial Support
- Patient Advocacy Foundation
- Patient Access Network — offers programs for underinsured patients to assist with out-of-pocket costs
- https://www.patientadvocate.org/connect-with-services/financial-aid-funds/
- The Healthwell Foundation (org) — provides assistance with insurance co-pays and premiums for patients with a variety of specific diagnoses.
Medicines
- RxAssist—maintains a list of brand name drug programs
- rxhope.com/Patient/BrandNameList
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance
- Needymeds.com — maintains a variety of resources, including co-pay assistance, discount cards, money-saving tips and other resources to assist patients in obtaining low- or no-cost medications.
Welcome to UNM Cancer Center Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program. You will meet with various team members and each plays a different role in helping you get ready for your transplant treatment. Our goal is to make this experience as easy as possible for you. We are here to support you during this time. Let us know how we can help.
This Allogeneic Transplant Guide covers:
- What is a Allogeneic stem cell transplant
- Steps in the Allogeneic transplant process - from your first meeeting to long-term follow-up
- Hospital stay
- Your hospital team
- Resources
Welcome to UNM Cancer Center Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program. You will meet with various team members and each plays a different role in helping you get ready for your transplant treatment. Our goal is to make this experience as easy as possible for you. We are here to support you during this time. Let us know how we can help.
This Autologous Transplant Guide covers:
- What is a Autologous stem cell transplant
- Steps in the Autologous stem cell process - from evaluation to collection to recovery
- Recovery in the hospital
- Resources
Meet the Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Team
Many experts collaborate to offer you the best treatment.Learn more: In-depth from the National Cancer Institute
The content below is provided by the National Cancer Institute. Please contact the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center at 505-272-4946 for more information.