Discarded Bone Marrow for Hematology Research

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients of any age receiving orthopedic surgery for clinical management that involve bone marrow containing bone discard.
* Patients receiving orthopedic surgery for clinical management will be considered for this study if they have the following diagnosis and criteria:

  * Homozygous S/S disease or doubly heterozygous for S and β thalassemia who are two years or older are eligible.
  * HbE-β- thalassemia or homozygous (severe) β-thalassemia. including those who are transfusion dependent (major) or severely anemic but relatively transfusion independent (intermedia). Diagnostic criteria include standard hematological parameters, red cell indices, hemoglobin electrophoresis and quantitative determination of HbF and HbA2.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active, acute manifestations of sickle cell disease including painful crisis, acute chest syndrome, cerebrovascular events or active infection.
* Pregnant women will not be eligible for study enrollment
* Inability or unwillingness of the research participant or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent will preclude enrollment on this research protocol.
* Platelet count \< 150,000/mm\^3
* Neutrophil count \< 2000/mm\^3
* Neutrophil count \< 1000/mm\^3 for patients on hydroxyurea therapy
* Prothrombin Time \> 17 seconds
* Partial thromboplastin Time \> 43 seconds
* History of excessive bleeding in the context of previous procedures including surgery and dental extractions