Bone marrow produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The white blood cells (also called leukocytes) that our bone marrow produces are used to fight off diseases, and the platelets rush to a wound to form a layer over it, similar to a plate, to clot the blood and prevent bleeding. If your bone marrow dies or fails, your red blood cell count will dramatically decrease. A low blood cell count is called cytopenia. Someone who has a genetic bone marrow disease may be helped by a bone marrow transplant from a matching relative or donor. Before a transplant you get chemotherapy with or without radiation to kill off diseased red blood cells. During a bone marrow transplant you get injected with new, healthy red blood cells that make their way to your bone marrow to further grow and develop.
