Keeping Hope Alive

Keeping Hope Alive

As the numbers of transplant survivors grew, we thought to bring them together each year for an annual collective gathering. The “Keeping Hope Alive” BMT reunion is an annual highlight by the Philippine Society of Blood and Marrow Transplant where transplant patients gather. It is attended as well by the patient’s families, donors, our staff of physicians, nurses, therapists and administrators

So why do we do this? The first and most obvious reason is that it is a celebration of what the patient has endured, and their courage and trust, to overcome and be cured of their disease. Second is for them to share their personal experience and be beacons of hope to others. Third is because of our view is that all of life's events should celebrated, and that we should not hesitate to pause in gratitude and joy.

Nevertheless, this event may also bittersweet, as we are mindful of those who fought their disease but were not successful. They are also there at our reunions, and we acknowledge their presence, since our work is motivated as much.

When each reunion is over and everyone go their own way, we do what everyone in a transplant life does around the world. We go back to the hospital and to the bedside to continue our quest to improve outcomes, and to plan for the next celebration of life. This is how we keep the hope alive.