What is a Bone Marrow/Stem Cell transplant?
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue found within bones. All blood cells are produced within the bone marrow. To sustain the necessary levels of blood cells the bone marrow of an adult must produce about three million red blood cells and 120,000 white blood cells every second. All these cells originate from a small population of stem cells. Less than one in 5,000 of the marrow cells is a stem cell. As well as producing mature blood cells stem cells have the remarkable ability to reproduce themselves. This maintains the pool of blood forming stem cells throughout life.Normal bone marrow produces three types of blood cells red and white cells, and platelets. Red blood cells contain a protein, called haemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body tissues. Platelets circulate in the blood and are important following an injury, because they are involved in forming blood clots to prevent continued bleeding.White blood cells, there are several different types, which co-operate to protect the body ag
