Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a lifesaving therapy for blood cancers and other disorders. Learn about our pediatric BMT program in Florida.

A blood or bone marrow transplant (BMT) can be lifesaving for children with conditions including leukemia, lymphoma, inborn errors of immunity, inborn errors of metabolism, hemoglobinopathies or bone marrow failure disorders.

The specialists in the Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute at Johns Hopkins All Children’s in St. Petersburg, Florida, have expertise in advanced techniques to help more children find a cure. From the moment you arrive at our center you can rest assured your child is receiving exceptional care.

In addition to expert hematologists and oncologists, our team includes a dedicated transplant educator who will help you navigate every step of the BMT process. We are committed to increasing survival rates for children who need BMT. We’ll explain the benefits and risks of this procedure to help you decide on the best care for your child.

Why Choose Johns Hopkins All Children’s

Bone marrow transplant can dramatically increase survival rates for children with certain blood cancers and other disorders. Our skilled team of providers has years of experience performing these complicated procedures.

When your child comes to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for a bone marrow transplant, you can expect:

Expert team

We specialize in using BMT to treat leukemia, lymphoma, inborn errors of immunity, inborn errors of metabolism, hemoglobinopathies and bone marrow failure disorders. Our hematologists, oncologists, transplant nurses and transplant coordinator develop a customized care plan for your child. Meet the team. 

Innovative treatments

Finding a well-matched donor can be difficult. In some cases, it can prevent children from getting a lifesaving transplant. Our experts use advanced techniques that increase the chances of a successful transplant with a 50 percent matched donor, such as a parent. We also use reduced-intensity transplant regimens when possible, helping your child stay stronger and healthier throughout treatment.

Access to clinical trials

Thanks to recent innovations, we can offer many children a cure for blood cancers and nonmalignant blood disorders. These advances are made possible, in part, by clinical trials of new treatments. At Johns Hopkins All Children’s,our patients can participate in numerous clinical trials. These trials give your child access to leading-edge therapies close to home. We also collaborate with our Johns Hopkins Medicine colleagues in Baltimore, the Moffitt Cancer Center, Children’s Oncology Group, Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Consortium and other pediatric hospitals/consortia. By working with other cancer centers, our trials have larger study groups, leading to better outcomes. See our clinical trials.

Collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center

We are the only pediatric affiliate of the Moffitt Cancer Center. Our physicians and researchers work with theirs to better understand pediatric cancers and potential treatments. Together, we are able to develop leading-edge stem cell therapies that improve outcomes for our patients. We share Moffitt’s accreditation with the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapies  — a group that oversees quality standards.

High volume, high success rates

We average about 40 bone marrow transplants per year. These treatments make cancer recovery possible for many of our young patients. Our team has also pioneered approaches that help lower risks of infection and other post-transplant complications.

Caring, nurturing environment

Having a bone marrow transplant requires an extended hospital stay. We understand how difficult that can be for you and your child. At Johns Hopkins All Children’s, your child will stay on our dedicated pediatric blood and marrow transplant unit. Our specialists are dedicated to making this a safe and comforting place throughout your child’s treatment.

Support for your whole family​

Our Child Life specialists help patients, parents and siblings cope with questions, concerns and fears around BMT. They also help you and your children understand what to expect before, during and after a bone marrow transplant.

Types of Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants We Offer

You may see different terms used to describe this procedure, but both stem cell transplant and blood or bone marrow transplant mean the same thing. “Hematopoietic stem cell transplant” is the official name for the treatment.

Stem cells may come from:

• Peripheral blood (the blood circulating through your veins)

• Bone marrow (the spongy material inside the bones)

• Umbilical cord blood (from the blood vessels of the placenta and umbilical cord) 

Using stem cells from a donor who is a close match to the recipient usually leads to the best results. For this reason, related donors are often the best match.

Before a transplant, your child receives chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy to destroy cancerous cells or bone marrow that isn’t functioning correctly. During the transplant, new, healthy cells are infused into your child’s blood. 

We’ve been performing bone marrow transplants on Florida’s west coast since 1985. Our expertise and history of innovation mean we can successfully treat patients using a variety of transplant techniques. These include:

• Autologous transplant: We harvest a patient’s stem cells from their blood or bone marrow and infuse them back into the blood after a course of chemotherapy. We also use innovative techniques to eliminate or genetically modify unhealthy cells and improve the outcomes of autologous transplants.

• Allogeneic transplant: We use stem cells from a related or unrelated donor.

• Umbilical cord blood transplant: We use stem cells from umbilical cord blood. This may come from a sibling’s birth, cord blood stored at the patient’s birth or a match found on a cord blood registry.

• Haploidentical transplant: Finding a perfect match — from a sibling or the donor registry — is not always possible. A haploidentical transplant means that a blood or bone marrow donor is a 50 percent match. The donor is usually a parent or sibling. This approach gives patients more options for finding a suitable donor and having a successful transplant.

What to Expect

A stem cell or bone marrow transplant involves many steps and many people. You and your child will meet a team of specialists who work together to plan, coordinate, and provide care before, during, and after transplant. The team includes:

• Transplant physician: This doctor leads your child’s care plan, explains the transplant type and timeline, discusses risks and benefits, and works with you to make decisions about your child’s care. 

• Nurse coordinator: The nurse coordinator helps to explain procedures and guides you through each step of your child’s care, serving as your main point of contact for appointments, test results and questions about preparation. 

• Advanced practice providers: These clinicians (including nurse practitioners and physician assistants) perform exams, manage day-to-day medical issues, adjust medications, and work closely with the transplant physician to deliver care. 

• Clinic nurses: They provide direct care, education, and support during clinic visits and hospital stays. 

• Pharmacists: They review and prepare complex medication plans and counsel families on how to take and manage medicines safely.

• Social workers: They can help with emotional support, coping, school and family concerns, and community resources. 

The transplant team communicates closely with your child’s primary hematologist, oncologist, or immunologist to provide consistent care across specialties. We know this is a challenging time. Our team’s goal is to guide your family through each step with compassion, clarity and coordinated expertise. 

How to Become a Bone Marrow Donor

A related donor — often a sibling — can provide the best results for patients needing a bone marrow transplant. If a patient doesn’t have a family member who can donate or is a close match, they may receive a transplant from an unrelated donor. Contact the National Marrow Donor Program to become a donor.