Bone Marrow or Hematopoietic
Stem Cell Transplant
A blood stem cell transplant is one treatment option that can cure sickle cell disease. It works by replacing unhealthy blood-forming cells with healthy cells from a donor. While it’s often referred to as a “transplant,” it isn’t surgery—it’s more like receiving a blood transfusion.
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It’s important to know that a transplant doesn’t reverse organ damage that may already exist from sickle cell disease, but it can stop further damage from happening. For many patients, the goal of transplant is to move toward a life without sickle cell pain, reduce the risk of future complications, and improve overall quality of life.
Transplant is not a single moment—it’s a journey. From preparation, to recovery, to long-term survivorship, each phase matters and looks different for every person.
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To make transplant possible, doctors carefully match patients with donors using HLA markers. HLA is a protein found on most cells in your body that helps your immune system recognize what belongs to you and what doesn’t. A close match helps reduce complications and supports your body in accepting the new, healthy cells.
Allogeneic Transplant Approaches
(From a Donor)
Unrelated Donor
Umbilical Cord Blood
Haploidentical (Half-Matched) Donor
This is considered the preferred option when available. It involves using stem cells from a fully matched brother or sister to replace the patient's faulty stem cells, and is associated with the best outcomes and lower risk of complications.
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When a matched sibling isn’t available, stem cells may come from an unrelated donor who closely matches your HLA type. Some transplants use partially matched donors (such as a 7/8 match). While this option can be effective, it may come with a higher risk of complications and requires careful monitoring.
This approach uses stem cells collected from donated umbilical cord blood. Cord blood transplants are most commonly used in children, as the smaller number of stem cells is better suited for smaller bodies. Cord blood can sometimes tolerate less-perfect matching, but recovery may take longer.
A haploidentical transplant uses a partially matched family donor—such as a parent, child, or sibling. Advances in transplant methods and reduced-intensity conditioning have made this option more accessible and safer, especially for patients who do not have a fully matched donor.
Resources
Find foundational information about the transplant process, donor matching, risks, recovery, and support networks:
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National Marrow Donor Program (Be The Match) – patient guides and free Warrior Packages to help patients prepare and navigate each step of the transplant journey
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Cure Sickle Cell Initiative – a curated library of gene therapy and SCD resources, including science explanations, infographics, and patient-focused content from partner organizations.
Comparative Educational Resources
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Understanding the differences, benefits, and risks of BMT versus gene therapy can help patients and families make informed decisions.
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Sickle Cell 101 Curative Therapies – fact sheets and educational materials comparing transplant and gene therapy, and answering common questions from the community.