STEP TWO: The Transplant Process

If you or someone you know is going to have an unrelated donor or cord blood transplant, the guide STEP TWO: The Transplant Process can help you learn what to expect before, during and after transplant.

Get the guide

• Cover (1,666 KB PDF)
• Pages 2-14: Table of contents, the donor search process and preparing for transplant (568 KB PDF)
• Pages 15-40: What to expect of the transplant process and tips for caregivers  (690 KB PDF)
• Pages 41-59: Checklists for a patient or parent, resources list and glossary (471 KB PDF) 

Find answers online

Planning for transplant

• How will my doctor search for a suitable donor or cord blood unit for me?

• How do I prepare my family and myself for transplant? 
• Why do I need a caregiver and how do I choose one? 
• Patient Checklist: Getting Ready for Your Transplant (PDF)
• Parent Checklist: Getting Ready for Your Child's Transplant (PDF)

What to expect during transplant

• What are the steps of the transplant process?
• What is the preparative regimen and possible side effects?
• What will my first month after transplant be like?

Life after transplant

• How should my family or friends prepare my home for my return?
• What can I do to stay healthy after transplant?
• What possible long-term effects of transplant might I have and how can I manage them?

Get help

• More patient support and resources from the NMDP 
• Glossary of transplant-related terms 
• Directory of other organizations that can help