Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Mentors

 

The University of Kansas BMT Program offers trained patient and caregiver mentors.  These trained mentors are patients or caregivers who are at least one year out from a transplant.  This is a free service to our BMT patients and caregivers.  This material will help you to understand the role of a BMT mentor.

 

Who BMT Mentors Are and What They Do

  • BMT mentors are dependable and trustworthy volunteers who want to help you through your transplant.
  • They offer support and empathy and may know how you are feeling.
  • They celebrate on your good days and give encouragement on your bad days.
  • They listen when you want to share your feelings and concerns.
  • BMT Mentors are assigned by the type of transplant, age, gender, disease type, and other common factors as much as possible, so they can relate well with the patient/caregiver experience.

 

What BMT Mentors Are Not and Don’t Do

  • BMT mentors are not pastors or spiritual directors for unanswered questions about life and death issues.
  • They are not therapists or counselors that give advice or direction.
  • They are not peers in recovery or confidants for any issues related to mental health, addictions or drug/alcohol abuse.  If this is something that you need help with, talk with the BMT healthcare team.
  • BMT mentors do not do errands, household tasks, babysitting, or help financially.
  • They are not caregivers or substitutes for the family/caregiver’s role and responsibilities.

 

Confidentiality

BMT mentors keep personal information confidential.  You can talk with your BMT mentors and not worry that anyone else will know the details.

 

BMT Mentor Training

BMT mentors receive training on how to be great listeners and ways to help you talk about your feelings and concerns.

 

Healthy Boundaries

BMT mentors work with you to find days and times to meet or talk to one-on-one that work best for the mentor/mentee relationship.

 

You may request to end the mentor/mentee relationship if you do not want to continue for any reason.

 

To Request a BMT Mentor

Talk to any member of your BMT team or contact:

Dori Tompkins, BMT Mentorship Program Manager

Office: (913)588-3433        [email protected]