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How bones make blood - Melody Smith

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TEDEd Animation

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Bones might seem rock-solid, but they’re actually quite porous inside. Most of the large bones of your skeleton have a hollow core filled with soft bone marrow. Marrow's most essential elements are blood stem cells and for patients with advanced blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, the best chance for a cure is often a bone marrow transplant. How does this procedure work? Melody Smith explains.

What are the potential sources of bone marrow donation?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Melody Smith, Melody Smith
  • Director Igor Coric, Igor Coric
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott, Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Animator Igor Coric
  • Storyboard Artist Igor Coric
  • Art Director Igor Coric
  • Sound Designer Cem Misirlioglu
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Fact-Checker Laura Shriver, Joseph Isaac

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