Blood & Marrow Transplant Program

The Ottosen Family Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Phoenix Children’s provides advanced, personalized care for pediatric patients of all ages who need stem cell transplant and cellular therapies. We are the only freestanding children’s hospital in Arizona with a dedicated pediatric transplant program. Because we care exclusively for children, every aspect of our program is designed to meet the unique needs of our patients from infancy through young adulthood.

Our team treats a wide range of conditions, including blood disorders, immune deficiencies, cancers and metabolic or genetic diseases.

Caring for Children and Families

We know a serious illness affects the entire family. That’s why we provide compassionate, comprehensive care to support you through every stage of your child’s treatment and recovery. We offer the services and resources you need to navigate every aspect of this health journey.

Your child will be assigned a transplant team of doctors, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dietitians, physical therapists and other care providers. Every member of the team is committed to your child’s successful treatment and full recovery.

Your child’s care team also includes dedicated psychosocial professionals. These supportive counselors, social workers, child life specialists and music and animal-assisted therapy can help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the transplant process.

Even our facilities are child-friendly and family-focused, featuring:

16 private BMT rooms
Access to the Ronald McDonald House
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered air
Private family break room
Private playroom
Physical therapy room

Why Choose Us?

Expertise you can trust. We are the largest pediatric blood and marrow transplant program in Arizona and the only pediatric program in the state offering gene therapy and advanced cellular therapies. Our experienced team provides a full spectrum of transplant options, including autologous and allogeneic transplants, CAR T-cell therapy and emerging gene therapies. We offer access to ongoing clinical research when appropriate and available.

Recognized for quality and safety. We have been accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) since 2006. That means we provide the highest standard of care to our transplant patients. Our strong survival outcomes reflect our team’s experience and commitment to quality care.

Continuous, comprehensive care. From initial evaluation through transplant, recovery and long-term follow-up, your child is supported by the same dedicated team with access to a full network of pediatric specialists.

Family-centered approach. We care for the whole family, offering emotional, social and practical support through services like Child Life, counseling, nutrition and therapy programs to help you navigate every stage of treatment.

Innovation Through Research

Phoenix Children’s is a National Marrow Donor Program transplant site, giving families access to leading-edge transplant therapies and clinical research opportunities.

Through our Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders (CCBD), we partner with leading universities, pharmaceutical companies and national research organizations to advance new treatments for children with cancer, blood disorders and immune system conditions. We also participate in Phase 1-3 clinical trials that help bring promising new therapies to children who may benefit from them.

Our Blood & Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program is an active member of several national research consortia, including the Children’s Oncology Group, the Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Consortium, the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research and the Clinical Trials Network.

These national partnerships help ensure your child benefits from the latest advances in transplant care by giving them access to innovative treatments and expertise from leading pediatric centers across the country.

Advanced Fellowship Training

Phoenix Children’s offers advanced fellowship training in pediatric blood and marrow transplant and cellular therapy for physicians pursuing specialized expertise. This one-year program provides hands-on experience in transplant and immunotherapy. It prepares future specialists to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care for children with complex conditions.

This means your child's care is supported by a team actively training the next generation of specialists to deliver the latest treatments, research and best practices.

Most children stay in the hospital for about 4 to 6 weeks, depending on their treatment and recovery.

Your child will have a primary transplant physician supported by a team of specialists, nurses and care providers working together to achieve the best possible outcome.

Yes. Your child’s team remains the same in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This continuity helps ensure coordinated care throughout treatment and recovery.

We offer emotional, social and practical support, including counseling, Child Life services, nutrition support and volunteer services to help your family through treatment.

Your child will continue to be monitored closely after their transplant through outpatient visits and may transition to long-term survivorship care to manage any long-term effects.