Blood and bone marrow transplantation continues to experience breakthroughs, with the role of the patient becoming increasingly important. In this talk, Anita Waldmann from the Leukaemia Patient-Support Group RHEIN-MAIN, Rüsselsheim am Main, Germany, discusses the needs of blood and marrow transplant patients, and why transplant centers should focus on these needs. Speaking from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) 2018 Annual Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, Anita stresses the power of the patients voice in influencing policy.