Apheresis machines are used for collecting blood stem cells (for bone marrow
transplants), for exchanging diseased plasma with fresh (in MS and cancer
patients) and for harvesting donor platelets (used to control bleeding in
another patient). In 2002 the RHH purchased a Cobe Spectra apheresis machine
from Gambro Pty Ltd via an open tender process and will now be purchasing a
second, identical machine in order to meet increased clinical demand.