A stem cell transplant is not a surgery. Stem cells are given intravenously. For those who wish to donate stem cells, there are two ways to do it: Blood donation is the most common way to donate stem cells. The donor first receives injections that stimulate increased stem cell growth. The stem cells are then collected and frozen until needed. Surgery is another, less common way to donate stem cells. A needle is placed into the back of the hip bone to extract the stem cells which are then filtered and frozen until needed. Once the stem cells are ready to be used, they are thawed and put into a patient’s bloodstream intravenously. The stem cells then travel to the bone marrow, where they start to make blood cells. After a few weeks, blood tests are used to measure the patients’ blood cells.