Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplantation is part of Golisano Children’s Hospital and Wilmot Cancer Center—a National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center. Our multidisciplinary team is skilled, committed and compassionate.
What is a Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT)?
Think of your bone marrow as a "factory" that creates all of the blood cells in the body! It creates the white blood cells that prevent infection as well as the red blood cells that carry oxygen and platelets that make the blood clot. The bone marrow contains ‘stem cells’ which are often thought of as the "mother cells" that form all of these cells in the blood. Your child might be here for a transplant for a number of reasons, but most commonly, the purpose of the bone marrow transplant is to ‘reset’ your child’s bone marrow with new and healthy cells to help it function normally again.
A bone marrow transplant allows your medical team to get rid of the "bad cells" in the marrow by using "conditioning therapy," which includes radiation and/or chemotherapy agents. These cells leave the body using these radiation and chemotherapy, in order to make space for new healthy cells to grow!
We offer all types of transplant options for children, adolescents and young adults, including:
- Autologous transplants: Patient’s own stem cells are removed and frozen for later use. Chemotherapy is given and the stem cells are reinfused.
- Allogeneic transplants: Stem cells from a healthy donor are collected and given to the patient.
- Matched related donors
- Mismatched related (Haploidentical) donors
- Matched and mismatched unrelated donors
- Unrelated umbilical cord blood
- CAR-T cell therapy
- Gene therapy for sickle cell disease and transfusion dependent thalassemia
We offer participation in clinical trials through the Children’s Oncology Group, the Pediatric Immune Deficiency Consortium, and the Sickle Cell Transplant Advocacy and Research Alliance.
Patient Stories
Javen ("Red") Jackson
Red's diagnosis of an aggressive form of leukemia set the stage for a long, brutal fight. Red is thriving now after receiving a bone marrow transplant—marrow donated by his little sister.
Adaramola ("Dara") Olasumboye
The Olasumboye family
found strength and hope, ultimately triumphing over Dara's sickle cell disease diagnosis through a life-changing bone marrow transplant.
Jeyliana Gonzalez
A "big person" in a little body shows fearlessness and faith after a rare cancer diagnosis. If there was ever a comeback kid, it’s 12-year-old Jeyliana "Nana" Gonzalez.
Callan DiAntonio
After being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia, newborn Callan DiAntonio came through treatment all thanks to the team of experts and supportive family surrounding him.