Cellular transplantation is emerging as a potential treatment. It can augment cell number in diseased organs, and has shown early promising. However cell therapy is partially hindered by immunological rejection, cellular source, and medical ethics. Bone marrow cells can be easily obtained from adult marrow, opening the possibility of autologous transplantation. Autologous cell transplantation for the treatment of damaged organs is becoming an increasingly promising strategy. This review summarizes the field of cell transplantation over the past decade, discusses areas of controversy, and proposes an outline of advancements that need to be made in both the clinical and scientific arenas for autologous cell transplantation to fully reach its clinical potential. It also discusses the current status of autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation with emphases on approaches to stem cell mobilization.