If you meet schoolboy Andrew he is cheerful, carefree and likes to run around with his friends. No one would guess that only a few years ago he was fighting for his life with a severe diagnosis. It was his own cord blood that helped him return to his family and friends.
Marie, now a student, was not always so healthy. She was born with a life threatening red blood cells defect, known as Blackfan-Diamond anaemia. This disease is treatable only by haematopoietic stem cells transplantation. When her little brother was born experts in the field of cord blood banking recommended to her parents to have his cord blood collected so it could be used to treat her.
It borders on the impossible, trying to imagine what it’s like to search for the one human being in the whole world who can save your life.
When deciding about their babies’ cord blood banking, all parents wish to never have to use it. On the other hand, if a terrible diagnosis occurs and their child’s physician asks them whether they banked their child’s cord blood by any chance, they are all happy to say YES.
The use of autologous cord blood in the treatment of malignant disorders, as a support after chemotherapy or in tissue regeneration is gaining importance. More and more cases emerge around the world.