In 1998, I discovered that I needed a bone marrow transplant.  I was suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome.  My doctor advised me that without this procedure, I would probably not live another year and only a bone marrow transplant from a donor other than myself could cure me.  Fortunately, my brother John was a match and became my donor.

 

Bone marrow transplantation is a long physically, emotionally and financially draining process.  I was fortunate during my transplant and recovery in 1998 and 1999 that I had a wonderful wife, family, friends, and church to provide support.  I also had my partners in my firm as a very important part of that support system.  Although I incurred significant financial expenses, I believe that an important part of my recovery was due to having this strong support system.

 

Many patients are not as fortunate.  Bone marrow transplantation is a procedure of last resort with a 50% or less survival rate.  A transplant recipient and family should only have to cope with the physical recovery effort and not have to worry about deciding between rent and the car payment.

 

At Christmas, 1999, my wife, Jo Ann, received a telephone call from the Nurse Manager of the Bone Marrow Transplantation unit at the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham.  She asked if we could sponsor a patient and family, helping with presents and certain expenses such as transportation, utility bills, etc.  We took that on as a project and received a very generous response, raising over $4,000 and helping approximately 10 families.  In 2000, we again received over $4,000 in response to this request.

 

Through these experiences, Jo Ann and I came to believe that we could and should do something to help those patients who did not have the same kind of support system we were so blessed to have.  We founded the Bone Marrow Transplant Angels of Alabama Foundation to support our efforts.  BMT Angels serves as a resource for patients and their families undergoing bone marrow transplantation at University Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

With your help, we can ease the heavy burden that many families suffer during bone marrow transplantation.  Be an angel, touch a life through the Bone Marrow Transplant Angels of Alabama Foundation.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Ed Reifenberg

 

MISSION

 

The Bone Marrow Transplant Angels of Alabama Foundation provides last resort financial aid to patients and families undergoing bone marrow transplantation at University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, encourages registration on the National Bone Marrow Registry, and assists patient and family support groups.

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT ANGELS OF ALABAMA

P.O. BOX 3295

MONTGOMERY, AL 36109-0295

(334) 260-2453

Patient Assistance

 

Patients requesting help from BMT Angels work with a medical social worker to complete a basic assessment which includes information on the patient’s needs, basic financial data, and insurance information that may cover non-medical needs.  The patient and social worker determine if there are other sources for the patient to get assistance.  Many charitable organizations in the Birmingham area assist with specific needs such as housing, utilities or transportation.

 

Needs not covered by other organizations—such as insurance premiums, car payments, house payments, or other necessities—are submitted to BMT Angels for consideration.