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GVHD DAY

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Change. Empower. Connect.

UNITE
TO RAISE AWARENESS OF GVHD

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

—Meredith, survivor

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 9 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
astct.org
Blood Cancer United
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society^® is now Blood Cancer United^®, a leading organization united by the belief that all blood cancer patients deserve longer, better lives. Its mission is to cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life for all patients and their families. Blood Cancer United provides community and free trustworthy support and education for patients, their families, and healthcare providers. The organization has invested more than $1.8 billion in research, driving progress that continues to increase survival rates. It also fiercely advocates—at the state and national level—for policies that ensure accessible, affordable care. For more than 75 years, Blood Cancer United has evolved to better serve people affected by all blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and the 100-plus other types.
Visit
BloodCancerUnited.org
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
bmtinfonet.org
Cell Therapy Transplant Canada (CTTC)
Cell Therapy Transplant Canada (CTTC) is a member-led, national, multidisciplinary organization providing leadership and promoting excellence in patient care, research, and education in the field of hematopoietic cell transplant and cell therapy, in Canada and beyond.

We strive to serve and connect our membership to advance the science and clinical care of patients with blood cancers and other hematopoietic disorders.
Visit
cttcanada.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.

Watch the video

Visit
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
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
nmdp.org
NMDP México
NMDP México^® (antes Be The Match México) es una subsidiaria de NMDP, que opera como centro internacional de registro y donadores. NMDP México^® se adhiere a los criterios de participación para centros de donadores internacionales, donde los miembros del registro que son reclutados en México se agregan al Registro de NMDP.

Las actividades de registro de donadores y pruebas de confirmación son facilitadas por miembros del personal con sede en México y las actividades de preparación de donadores son facilitadas por miembros del personal con sede en los EE. UU. Para ayudar a garantizar el cumplimiento de los requisitos de la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA, siglas en inglés), se accede a los donadores de NMDP México^® a través del equipo de gestión de casos de NMDP.

Como parte de su supervisión, NMDP garantiza que NMDP México^® cumple con los requisitos regulatorios y de calidad adecuados.
Visita
nmdpmexico.org
Sanofi
Sanofi is an innovative global health care company, driven by one purpose: chasing the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Their team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. They provide potentially life-changing treatment options and lifesaving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of their ambitions.

The GVHD Alliance is a collaboration between all member organizations and Sanofi.
Visit
sanofi.com

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

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.

Congratulations to Dr. Steven Pavletic on His Retirement

Date: April 2025

Steve Pavletic will be missed by the GVHD community, as he has led both national and international efforts to develop clinical trial guidelines and received the National Cancer Institute Director’s Individual Merit Award for his efforts in the field. For 20 years, he pioneered GVHD research and committed to helping people expand their knowledge of the disease. The GVHD Alliance is grateful for his support in establishing this coalition to advance awareness and support for patients and families who live with GVHD.

2025 Lukas D. Wartman GVHD Achievement Award Winner Dr. Shernan Holtan

Date: February 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Shernan Holtan, winner of the 2025 Lukas D. Wartman GVHD Achievement Award. Dr. Holtan is a specialist in hematologic oncology and Chief of the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Section of the Department of Medicine at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY. She has conducted extensive studies focused on the identification of novel tissue repair growth factors and pathways in patients with GVHD.

Tandem 2025 Highlights

Dates: February 12-15, 2025

The GVHD Alliance headed to Honolulu, HI for Tandem 2025. Aside from surfboards and sunscreen, we came prepared with an exhibit table and educational materials for distribution. We launched “My Signs. My Story” and collected stories from people experiencing GVHD to share with the virtual community. We even gave away a ukulele!

The GVHD Alliance Is Expanding to Europe!

Date: June 2025

The GVHD Alliance is excited to announce a partnership with the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) to expand the footprint of education and resources to more patients and families worldwide. EBMT will be working with leading patient advocacy organizations in Europe to determine needed support and programming for people with GVHD. Welcome EBMT!

BMT InfoNet Survivorship 2025

Dates: May 3-9, 2025

More than 2,000 survivors and their loved ones celebrated a second chance at life after bone marrow/stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell therapy. Attendees included members with 45 different diagnoses from 23 countries. Over 90% of participants had experienced GVHD after bone marrow/stem cell transplant.

Susan K. Stewart: 2024 Winner, Meredith A. Cowden Patient Advocacy Achievement Award

Date: September 2024

In 1988, Sue Stewart was diagnosed with leukemia. She'd never heard of a bone marrow transplant, but that's what her doctor recommended. She was confused, overwhelmed, and didn't know what bone marrow or stem cells were.

After recovering from her transplant, she met other survivors and learned her experience was not unique. The other survivors understood how difficult it is was for Sue to make the decision to have a transplant, undergo treatment, and get back to a normal life.

Learn more

Learning about GVHD can help you advocate for yourself or someone you love

CHANGEMAKER SPOTLIGHT

Here we recognize the efforts of people who actively improve the lives of people living with GVHD.

See our winners below.

Lukas D. Wartman GVHD Achievement Award

Dr. Shernan Holtan

2025 Winner

Congratulations to Dr. Shernan Holtan, winner of the 2025 Lukas D. Wartman GVHD Achievement Award. Dr. Holtan is a specialist in hematologic oncology and Chief of the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Section of the Department of Medicine at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. She has conducted extensive studies focused on the identification of novel tissue repair growth factors and pathways in patients with GVHD.

About the Lukas D. Wartman GVHD Achievement 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

About the Meredith A. Cowden Patient Advocacy Achievement 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.

Watch the Video

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