Transplant basics
Understanding a bone marrow transplant
A transplant can be hard to picture, and the words around it can be confusing. These short explainers answer the questions people ask first. Each one gives the answer at the top and lists its sources at the bottom.
The explainers
What is a bone marrow transplant, and how does it work?
A bone marrow transplant replaces diseased or damaged blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones, given through a vein. The steps, the timeline and the risks.
Stem cell vs bone marrow transplant: are they the same?
Mostly, yes. Both replace blood-forming stem cells. The name reflects where the cells were collected: the bone marrow, the bloodstream or cord blood.
Does a bone marrow transplant change your DNA?
Partly. After a donor transplant, your blood and immune cells carry the donor’s DNA, while most other cells keep yours. What that means for tests and family.
How much does a bone marrow transplant cost?
Estimated 2025 US billed charges for a donor transplant average about $1.26 million, but insurers pay less. Who pays, what families pay and where to find help.
More in the library
Understanding can become action.
Some patients need a blood stem cell donor. Others receive different treatment. Wherever your interest began, you can help more people find the donor they need.
Join the registry
JBF points you to the official registry that serves your country. It explains who can join and what donation involves.
Help a family run a drive
If someone you love needs a donor, a registration drive can add many potential donors at once, for them and for others.
Support this work
Gifts to the Jada Bascom Foundation support donor-awareness education like this guide, community outreach, drive planning and referrals to official registries.
