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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffBlood and bone marrow donation is a voluntary process. You agree to allow doctors to draw blood stem cells from your blood or bone marrow for transplantation. Blood stem cells from blood and bone marrow donation are used to treat some cancers, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma, and other diseases. You might consider blood and bone marrow donation because you have a family member who needs a transplant and doctors think that you're likely to be a good match for that person.
What are blood stem cells?
Blood stem cells are the cells that make all of the body's blood cells. They form and mature in the bone marrow, and are then released into the bloodstream. Although they're called "stem cells," these cells are not the same as the embryonic stem cells studied in therapeutic cloning and other types of research.
- Bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplants. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/eto_1_3_Bone_Marrow.asp. Accessed Feb. 18, 2009.
- Bone marrow transplantation and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/bone-marrow-transplant. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
- What are stem cells? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_4X_What_Are_Stem_Cells.asp?sitearea=ETO. Accessed Feb. 18, 2009.
- Filgrastim (granulocyte colony stimulating factor; G-CSF). Facts & Comparisons 4.0. http://www.factsandcomparisons.com. Accessed Feb. 18, 2009.
- HLA matching: Finding the best donor or cord blood unit. Be the Match Registry. Accessed May 4, 2009.
- Gronseth MJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 1, 2009.
