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H H S Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration
Blood Cell Transplant

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About the Program

Helping patients who need a bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant

The C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program (Program) provides support to patients who need a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant (also called a BMT) or umbilical cord blood transplant. For some patients who have leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, or other inherited metabolic or immune system disorders, a bone marrow or cord blood transplant may be their best chance to live longer, healthier lives.

A donor for a marrow or cord blood transplant may be available from a patient's family; however, most patients depend on an unrelated donor. The Program's purpose is to help patients who need a transplant from an unrelated marrow donor or cord blood unit by:

  • Making information about bone marrow and cord blood transplantation available to patients, families, health care professionals, and the public.
  • Providing efficient, effective processes for identifying matched marrow donors and cord blood units through one electronic system (Single Point of Access).
  • Increasing the numbers of unrelated marrow donors and cord blood units available for transplant.
  • Collecting data and expanding research to improve patient outcomes.

Program Elements

  • Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation—Advises the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Administrator of the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on matters related to the activities of the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program (Program) and the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) Program.
  • Legislation and Contracts—Explains the laws approved by Congress that created the Program and its individual components and contracts.
  • Program Contractors—Describes the organizations that were awarded the contracts.
  • Program Assessments—Explains the Program's performance standards and measurements and the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART).
  • Radiation Injury Treatment Network®—Describes national emergency plans that are ready if a mass casualty incident results in marrow toxic injuries (such as from radiation exposure).
  • Website Content Inventory—Lists audiences, priorities, and publication schedules for information provided through this website.
Bone Marrow or Cord Blood Transplantation
Learn about who may need a bone marrow or cord blood transplant, what a transplant is, and how the blood-forming cells are donated.
Related Topics
General Frequently Asked Questions