Bone marrow is the source of haemopoetic stem cells. These stem cells produce the red cells, white cells and platelets that are required for good haemostatic function. Please check this link about bone marrow donation for more information.

Autologous Bone Marrow Transplants

Autologous bone marrow transplantation is a technique whereby patients with leukaemia and lymphoma have their bone marrow harvested and stored prior to receiving intensive chemotherapy.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplants

This is a bone marrow transplant from a "tissue typed" matched donor who is either a relative or from a donor panel. These donor stem cells are sometime manipulated to remove incompatible red cells or plasma. An allogeneic transplant usually occurs when the patients bone marrow is diseased. It is not usually cryo-preserved.

Peripheral Blood Stem cells

The haemopoetic  stem cells can also be collected using leucopheresis techniques. The patient is previously primed to mobilise the bone marrow stem cells into the peripheral circulation. These harvested cells can then be used in either the autologous or allogeneic setting.