Small changes can matter more than we think — especially during recovery.
When doctors consider stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy for older adults, age is often the first question people think about. But for many patients, the more important question isn’t how old someone is — it’s how strong and resilient their body is when treatment begins.
In this episode of Thrive!, we take a closer look at how transplant and CAR T-cell therapy are evaluated in older adults. Guided by Dr. Amelia Langston of Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute, this Deep Dive explores why age alone is rarely the deciding factor and how factors like overall health, mobility, cognition, resilience, and caregiver support can play a much larger role in determining whether treatment is appropriate.
In this week’s news update, we examine new research showing that even small amounts of daily movement — just a few minutes at a time — may support long-term health and longevity. We also highlight BMT InfoNet’s Directory of Transplant Centers, a practical resource designed to help patients, survivors, and care partners compare programs and better understand where care happens.
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CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Welcome
00:52 Updates — Small Movements, Meaningful Impact
03:18 A Quick Note
04:37 Something That May Help — BMT Transplant Directory
06:30 Deep Dive — Cold Open
07:32 Deep Dive — Transplant and CAR T in Older Adults
08:41 Deep Dive — Why Age Matters — And Why It Doesn’t
11:17 Deep Dive — The Real Deciding Factor — Resilience
13:54 Deep Dive — How Providers Measure Fitness in Older Adults
16:13 Deep Dive — What Outcomes Really Look Like in Older Adults
17:41 Deep Dive — What Providers Can Do to Improve Outcomes
18:47 Deep Dive — What Patients and Families Can Do
20:02 Deep Dive — The Real Question Isn’t “Who Should Get a Transplant”
20:41 Deep Dive — Takeaways
21:43 One Last Thought
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Deep Dive Presentation
Dr. Amelia Langston — Transplant and CAR T-Cell Therapy in Older Adults: Finding Balance Between Benefit and Risk
https://bmtinfonet.org/video/transplant-and-car-t-cell-therapy-older-adults-finding-balance-between-benefit-and-risk
News Articles Mentioned
Washington Post — Small Amounts of Daily Walking Linked to Longer Lifespan
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/01/31/walking-exercise-increased-lifespan-study/
The Lancet — Physical Activity and Mortality Risk Study
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02219-6/abstract
Something That May Help
BMT InfoNet — Directory of Transplant Centers
https://bmtinfonet.org/transplantcenters
BMT InfoNet — Directory of CAR T Centers
https://bmtinfonet.org/directory-car-t-cell-therapy-centers
Join the BMT InfoNet Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/bonemarrowstemcelltransplantclub
Email Us
thrive@bmtinfonet.org
Links were active at the time of publication.
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