Baby's Own Cord Blood Stem Cells Used in Cancer Treatment
SAN BRUNO, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- A couple's decision to have
their son's umbilical cord blood preserved when he was born now gives the
ten-month-old boy his best chance at survival in his fight against a deadly
cancer.
Cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which are building blocks to
the blood and immune system. Currently these unique cells are being used to
treat certain cancers and blood disorders. Lisa Farquharson of Bolton, ON,
told reporters that she never thought her baby, Jesse, would need his cord
blood stem cells because the family has no history of cancer. Still, as a
precaution, she arranged with a private cord blood bank to save Jesse's cord
blood when he was born. Four months later, Jesse was diagnosed with
retinoblastoma (eye cancer) that had spread throughout his body. Last week, in
a first-of-its kind transplant, Jesse's cord blood stem cells were returned to
his body to rebuild his blood and immune system after the harsh cancer
treatment.
Jesse's story is just one example of how banking umbilical cord blood stem
cells is changing lives for families. Another example is Molly Nash's
transplant six months ago from her brother Adam to treat a genetic disease
called Fanconi Anemia. Although unrelated donor stem cells were available, her
doctor decided to wait nine months for her brother's birth to use his cord
blood stem cells instead. With Adam's cells, Molly's chance of survival jumped
from 30% to 85%.
Overall, the one year survival rate for patients treated with a sibling's
cord blood stem cells is approximately 73%. Patients who do not have their
own, or a relative's cord blood sample available, are forced to look for an
unrelated donor and survival rates drop to only 29%.
"More than one quarter of our clients are physicians or health care
professionals who see the value of cord blood firsthand," says Stephen Grant,
vice president of communications for Cord Blood Registry. "It's clear that
doctors are among the first to embrace this new, life-saving technology."
Cord Blood Registry is the world's largest, most experienced family cord
blood stem cell bank with more than 25,000 samples in storage at their Tucson,
Arizona-based laboratory. Information regarding cord blood stem cell
collection and banking is available at http://www.cordblood.com or by calling
toll-free 888-CORD BLOOD.
Contact: Sam Yoo, 800-588-6377, ext. 239, or syoo@cordblood.com, or
Amy Seirer, 800-588-6377, ext. 303, aseirer@cordblood.com, both of
Cbr Systems, Inc.
SOURCE Cbr Systems
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Related links:
http://www.cordblood.com
CONTACT:
Sam Yoo, 800-588-6377, ext. 239, or
syoo@cordblood.com, or Amy Seirer, 800-588-6377, ext. 303, or
aseirer@cordblood.com, both of Cbr Systems, Inc.
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