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Understanding Blood Stem Cell Transplants

A marrow or blood stem cell transplant is a treatment option for many patients with life-threatening blood, immune system or genetic disorders. You probably have many questions if you or someone you know may be treated with a stem cell transplant. You can find some of the answers on this Web site:

• The Basics on Bone Marrow and Blood Stem Cell Transplants answers some of the first questions you may have about transplants.



• Advances in Stem Cell Transplants: A Primer for Patients provides an overview of the advances in pre- and post- transplant treatments and what has been learned that is leading to better outcomes for patients.



• Moving Toward Transplant: Step One tells about the steps leading up to a transplant, including the search for an unrelated donor.



• Transplant Journey: Step Two describes the process of an unrelated donor transplant. It covers the search for a donor through the transplant and recovery.



• Evaluating Your Health Before Transplant describes the health exam patients receive to help decide whether a stem cell transplant is a good treatment option.

You can learn more about unrelated donor transplants from the National Marrow Donor Program's Office of Patient Advocacy (OPA). The OPA offers free booklets, fact sheets and worksheets for patients. You can order them online or by calling toll free in the United States at (888) 999-6743. Outside the United States, call (612) 627-8140.