Although many recognize Mia Hamm as a legendary footballer and twice a gold Olympic medalist, has also become a defender dedicated to those affected GRAFT versus host disease (GVHD). This potential complication can occur after a bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. His connection to the cause is deeply personal, as his brother, Garrett Hamm, fought against a rare disorder and finally died of complications of a bone marrow transplant.
Since then, HAMM has pledged to raise awareness of the disease, supporting new research and encouraging bone marrow donations. Mia Hamm recently sat with First for women To discuss his defense inspired by the brother, his collaboration with Incyte and the advice for others in a similar situation.
Mia Hamm’s brother died by complications of transplantation
The football star has been champion of bone marrow transplants (BMT) and Related health problems Since passing his brother in 1997. Garrett has diagnosed him a rare condition called Aplastic anemiawhich meant that his body did not produce enough blood cells. After a bone marrow transplant (where healthy stem cells were infused in his body to replace the damaged or sick bone marrow), he developed a BMT complication. Another type of serious complication is the graft versus the host’s disease, which occurs when donor cells attack the patient’s organs and tissues themselves. “”
“My story is a little different for what my brother was adopted,” Hamm said First. “So, when we were looking for a marrow donor, no one from our immediate family could be donor for him. We really trusted the National Bone Medicine Register, as well as the International.”
He explained that at that time his brother was diagnosed, you could not only jump on the Internet to investigate good reputation doctors or find support systems. That is why he is passionate about working on campaigns that help families and provide hope for patients and why he founded the Mia Hamm Foundation In 1999.
Why Mia Hamm wants to spread awareness about GVHD
Hamm has defended BMT’s awareness for almost 30 years, but also acknowledges that the struggle does not stop after a transplant. This understanding led her to collaborate with Incyte, a global pharmaceutical company.
“It was a perfect adjustment,” he said. “They know that I have done a lot of work in diseases of bone marrow failure and bone marrow transplants. We do a lot in terms of marrow traction, getting people to register and support groups that do amazing work to help educate and provide support for families and patients who go through bone marrow transplants.”
Why does Inyte? “I love the work they do to help not only educate patients and their families, but also to really highlight some of the amazing stories there,” continues Hamm.
She encourages those affected by GVHD to visit them Gvhdnow.com To find information, resources and support, remembering them that they are not alone.
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Hamm says Early GVHD detection is essential
As for GVHD or other complications, Hamm says it is important to be aware of the early alert signs. That includes a small eruption, Dry mouth Or trouble swallowing: “The things that you and me or even the patient may think that we are normal.”
For many patients, a bone marrow transplant is its last hope. “The subject of graft versus the host of the host is so different from the other transplants,” says Hamm. “They are actually the donor cells that reject you, so it is really important to stay at the forefront because it can be a long-term chronic disease that affects patients who put bone marrow transplantation.”
HAMM TIPS? Pay attention to how you feel and listen if family members notice something unusual, such as a change of eruption or energy. “Have a Open line of communication With your healthcare team and your doctors, and the sooner you can identify and connect with them with them, the better the possibility you have, “he adds.
Other resources for GVHD
While HAMM emphasizes the use Gvhdnow.comAlso share this own website, Mia FoundationIt has important information to better understand BMT and GVHD.
“Even if you go to your local Red crossYou can get information on where there may be bone marrow units, “he says.” If we can get more registered people in the National Marrow Registry, more success and more options have families who need bone marrow transplant. “”
Ultimately, Hamm says that the support of his peers and family members helped him to go through the diagnosis and death of his brother. When we talk about its foundation, Hamm says: “We continue to inspire -the work we do, but the people we feel we have helped are what keeps us every day.”
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