Bone marrow (stem cell) transplants have been used for the treatment and cure of a variety of cancers, immune system diseases, and blood diseases for many years. . . . In a person with sickle cell disease, the bone marrow produces red blood cells that contain hemoglobin S. This leads to the complications of sickle cell disease. To prepare for a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant, strong medicines, called chemotherapy, are used to weaken or destroy the patient's own bone marrow, stem cells, and infection-fighting system. This is done so the patient does not reject the new blood cells coming from the donor. The patient's bone marrow then is replaced with blood-forming stem cells from a donor who does not have sickle cell disease. . . . The actual transplant is given like a blood transfusion through an IV tube. The new bone marrow then produces red blood cells that are healthy since they do not contain a lot of hemoglobin S.

- "Bone Marrow (Stem Cell) Transplant for Sickle Cell Disease,"

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

How does a bone marrow transplant treat sickle cell disease?

A. Bone marrow transplants produce healthy red blood cells containing hemoglobin S.
B. Bone marrow transplants weaken the patient's unhealthy bone marrow.
C. Bone marrow transplants use chemotherapy to destroy the patient's own bone marrow.
D. Bone marrow transplants allow the patient to begin producing healthy red blood cells.