Change. Empower. Connect.

UNITE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF GVHD

For those of us living with GVHD, CONNECTING CAN BRING SUPPORT,ENCOURAGEMENT, AND COMFORT and remind us—there is always hope.

—Meredith, survivor

For years, several organizations have been working to make meaningful differences in the lives of people diagnosed with Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Together, as the GVHD Alliance, we’re ready and able to make a bigger impact than ever before.

OUR MISSION

The GVHD Alliance is empowering voices in the Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) community to increase awareness and help improve the lives of people living with GVHD.

Diagnosed with GVHD?

If you need to find a doctor who treats GVHD, we can help you get started.

Ready to learn more about GVHD?

Explore the resources we've collected.

WHO WE ARE

Here you can learn more about the organizations that make up the GVHD Alliance.

American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT)
The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy^® (ASTCT) is an international professional membership association of more than 3,600 physicians, investigators, and other health care professionals from more than 45 countries. As a leading organization that promotes research, education and clinical practice, ASTCT is dedicated to improving the application and success of blood and marrow transplantation and related cellular therapies.
Visit us: astct.org/home
Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMT InfoNet)
Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMT InfoNet) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emotional support and access to high-quality, easy-to-understand information about bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell, and cord blood transplant and CAR T-cell therapy.
Visit us: bmtinfonet.org
Meredith A. Cowden Foundation
The Meredith A. Cowden Foundation is committed to increasing the number of leukemia survivors, raising awareness of blood cancers, and helping the people who live with them achieve a better posttransplant quality of life.
Visit us: cowdenfoundation.org
National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK)
National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals before, during, and after receiving a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. This means providing education and support to patients, caregivers, and families as they cope with the many challenges that exist from diagnosis through survivorship.
Visit us: nbmtlink.org
NMDP
At NMDP, we believe each of us holds the key to curing blood cancers and disorders. As a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, NMDP creates essential connections between researchers and supporters to inspire action and accelerate innovation to find lifesaving cures. With the help of blood stem cell donors from the world’s most diverse registry and our extensive network of transplant partners, physicians, and caregivers, we’re expanding access to treatment so that every patient can receive their lifesaving cell therapy.

NMDP. Find cures. Save lives.
Visit us: nmdp.org
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest nonprofit health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services that help people access the lifesaving treatments they need. They are dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers and, since 1949, have invested nearly $1.6 billion into groundbreaking research that has led to the most innovative approaches in care known today.
Visit us: lls.org

The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy^® (ASTCT) is an international professional membership association of more than 3,600 physicians, investigators, and other health care professionals from more than 45 countries. As a leading organization that promotes research, education and clinical practice, ASTCT is dedicated to improving the application and success of blood and marrow transplantation and related cellular therapies.

The GVHD Alliance is committed to supporting every person, in every community, throughout their experience with GVHD.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GVHD ALLIANCE

Discover where and how we’ve been making an impact and keep up with GVHD news we’re excited about.

Dr. Julie Boiko is named the winner of the Suzanne McCarroll GVHD Research Award

Date: October 2023

The Suzanne McCarroll GVHD Research Award was presented to Julie Boiko, MD, PhD, during the Meredith A. Cowden Symposium. Dr. Boiko is a scientist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, where she conducts GVHD research. She's also a physician at Seattle Children's Hospital, where she cares for children undergoing bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Her longstanding commitment to bettering the lives of patients, in particular those who develop GVHD, has been both inspiring and meaningful to the community. This award, named for Suzanne McCarroll, a CBS News Colorado journalist and newscaster who lost her battle with GVHD in 2022, enables Dr. Boiko to conduct potentially transformative research that will help improve the lives of patients living with GVHD. It is founded and presented on behalf of the McCarroll family, who were determined to make a lasting impact in Suzanne's memory.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Joins the GVHD Alliance

Date: September 2023

The GVHD Alliance was thrilled to welcome The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as an official member in September 2023. LLS has made a tremendous difference in the lives of innumerable patients and families. When it comes to GVHD, LLS shares the Alliance’s dedication to supporting patients, survivors, and the community as a whole. Together, we are certain that we will continue to empower voices, raise awareness, and help improve the lives of those living with GVHD.

See the official press release here.

GVHD National Symposium, Hosted by the Meredith A. Cowden Foundation

Date: October 13, 2023

Location: Independence, OH

Once again, the Meredith A. Cowden Foundation hosted its GVHD National Symposium, an event dedicated to sharing news about how health care professionals and advocates are working to make differences in the lives of those living with Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Bone marrow/stem cell transplant survivors and their families had the chance to interact with the world’s leading authorities on GVHD, such as keynote speaker Gregory Yanik, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Mott Children’s Hospital.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

Join us for an event—in person or from the comfort of home

LEARNING ABOUT GVHD CAN HELP YOU ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE

CHANGEMAKER SPOTLIGHT

Here we recognize the efforts of people we admire.

Lukas D. Wartman GVHD Achievement Award

Steven Pavletic, MD

2023 Winner

Dr. Steven Pavletic is recognized for the far-reaching impact his actions have had on the GVHD community. He consistently works to advance GVHD treatments to improve outcomes for patients and has led national and international efforts to develop guidelines for clinical studies. In addition to being celebrated for his tireless efforts, Dr. Pavletic now also has the distinct honor of receiving this award in its inaugural year.

About the Award

The Lukas D. Wartman GVHD Achievement Award is given to a health care professional who demonstrates persistent dedication to improving outcomes for patients with GVHD. It is named in honor of Lukas D. Wartman, an oncologist who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2003 and later developed chronic GVHD after 2 bone marrow transplants. Dr. Wartman continues to be a leading advocate for people living with GVHD.

Hear from Dr. Wartman

Meredith A. Cowden Patient Advocacy Achievement Award

Jodi Nelc

2023 Winner

Jodi Nelc is recognized with the inaugural award for the direct impact her work has had on the lives of patients and families. Jodi’s daughter Victoria lost her brave battle with GVHD in 2014 at age 27, but Jodi has never stopped advocating for the community. The GVHD Facebook Group started by mother and daughter in 2012 continues to connect and support those navigating GVHD, and today has 4,600 members from around the world. The Meredith A. Cowden Foundation estimates that this effort, along with the other endeavors Jodi has launched throughout the years, have helped at least 7,500 people navigate GVHD.

About the Award

The Meredith A. Cowden Patient Advocacy Achievement Award was created to recognize advocates who go above and beyond in their efforts to help those in the GVHD community improve their quality of life.

Members of the GVHD Alliance With Jodi Nelc at the Meredith A. Cowden Foundation Symposium

People browsing the GVHD Alliance website

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN YOUR GVHD JOURNEY, WE HAVE RESOURCES FOR YOU