Pediatric bone marrow transplant program in Denver
Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children (RMHC) offers a new, state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant Unit where we care for children facing a blood cancer or blood disorder diagnosis.
For more information about our blood marrow transplant program, please call (877) 752-2737.
At RMHC, we have created an intimate, family-friendly environment in our Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Our unit consists of seven beds and prioritizes personalized, one-on-one care with the entire multidisciplinary care team. This approach to care allows our physicians to provide the same superior care you’d expect in a larger unit while spending more time talking through diagnosis and treatment with you and your family.
What is a bone marrow transplant?
Bone marrow exists inside your bones and is softer than the outer shell of the bone. Bone marrow is the fastest growing organ in your body and works as a kind of factory for replacing and manufacturing blood cells. Bone marrow is the factory site for white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. When bone marrow is not able to work properly, it affects the blood cells in your body.
A bone marrow transplant effectively replaces the existing bone marrow with bone marrow from a donor. The donor bone marrow acts as a replacement factory and restores the production and manufacturing of blood cells to a normal level. Recovery time takes several weeks but can vary from patient to patient.
Why might my child need a bone marrow transplant?
There are a number of reasons why a child may need a bone marrow transplant, and they primarily surround a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. Some illnesses in the bone marrow, like blood cancer, can cause the bone marrow to stop functioning correctly.
Other times, cancer treatment, like chemotherapy, may wipe out a child’s healthy bone marrow. Although, this is done intentionally, as bone marrow can be replaced through a donor.
Our pediatric bone marrow transplant care team
The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit is staffed with physicians who are passionate about what they do. Our hematologists and oncologists in our pediatric oncology department know their patients and families individually and take the extra time to help parents and children understand what is going on.
Our physicians strive to step into the role of educator for parents and family members. They are able to help family members understand the clinical language and science behind their child’s condition and treatment during a time of shock and intensity.
We believe that our best outcomes come as a result of coupling excellent medical care with comprehensive support for your child and family.
Our team believes every question a parent or family member has is an important one.
Referrals to our unit
Oftentimes, referral to our Bone Marrow Transplant Unit will be made at the time of an initial blood cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. A peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation may be the primary therapy that is recommended. This technique involves removing circulating blood from a donor to the patient. Other times, if an initial therapy proves to be ineffective, the next step will be a bone marrow transplant.
We typically receive referrals from a child’s primary care physician or emergency medicine doctor.
