CORD BLOOD HELPED ME

SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Sosa Evbuomwan
(Received a Public Cord Blood Donation)

Even before she was born, Sosa's parents knew she would have sickle cell disease. She and her family managed the disease amazingly for the first 12 years but then pain crisis and a growing list of complicated health issues forced doctors to consider a stem cell transplant. Sadly, she did not find a match in her family. It was at this moment that her doctors explored a new option for treating sickle cell. . . cord blood from a donor. It was not an easy process but the results were nothing short of a miracle. Sosa was cured. No more sickle cell! 
​
​READ MORE about Sosa here.

Source:  Duke Children's

CEREBRAL PALSY

Luke Fryer
(Received His Own Privately Banked Cord Blood)

Meet Luke. His parents saved his cord blood at birth privately. Years later he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and was able to participate in a clinical trial using his own cord blood as treatment. His progress was gradual but steady. Today, he is walking, running and living an active childhood. 

Note: Luke's parents learned about the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial from the private cord blood bank they used.
​
​READ MORE about Luke here.

Source:  SavetheCordFoundation.org

HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

Diane Paradise
(Received a Public Cord Blood Donation)

Diane was 24 when she was initially diagnosed with Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin disease (NLPHD). It started with a lump under her arm. Five months later, a second lump formed. Doctors began treatment immediately. It was very rough but she pushed through and was in remission for 6 years. But, the cancer kept coming back. Facing the 5th recurrence of the disease, Diane pushed doctors to help her. Educated about her options and her own body, she opted to participate in a clinical trial with cord blood instead of pursuing the usual bone marrow transplant and extended chemotherapy. This was a choice she does not regret.
​
​READ MORE about Diane here.

Source:  SavetheCordFoundation.org

HURLERS SYNDROME (MPS TYPE 1)

Lyla Edgington
(Received a Public Cord Blood Donation)

Meet Lyla Edgington. Lyla’s doctors and parents began to worry when a heart murmur was detected during her 4 month check-up. Returning for another check-up at 6 months, Helen, Lyla’s mother, pointed out a sharp curve in Lyla’s spine that she had noticed. Lyla was first diagnosed with Hurler Syndrome (MPS Type I) on April 4th, 2016 when she was just 7 months old.  Her doctors felt that a cord blood stem cell transplant would give her the best chances at overcoming this life-threatening genetic disorder.​ She received her transplant just a few months later. Today, her parents are proud to say that she is developmentally on-track thanks to this treatment.
​READ MORE about Lyla's treatment here.

Source:  SavetheCordFoundation.org

HYDROCEPHALUS

Grace Mathews
(Received Her Own Privately Banked Cord Blood)

Grace Mathews is lucky in so many ways. Her parents saved her cord blood at birth. She was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition called hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, a condition characterized by a fluid build-up causing swelling of the head. An innovative team of doctors led by Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg at Duke University performed a groundbreaking procedure on Grace where she received her own cord blood to specifically treat this condition.  According to Dr. Kurtzberg, "We hope that it’s going to rescue her brain from some of the effects of the pressure from the hydrocephalus she had when she was in utero."

Meet Grace and see how this procedure was performed:
​VIEW THE VIDEO

Source: AlJazeera.com

LEUKEMIA

Deb Martell
(Received a Public Cord Blood Donation)

Cancer does not discriminate. It can pick on anyone and at any time. Originally from Wisconsin, Deb Martell moved to Denver in 1997 with her family. She was 36 years old at the time and proud mother of four adorable young children. With a new life in Denver, you can imagine how shocked Deb was when she learned she had breast cancer just two months after the move. Deb Martell fought the breast cancer and won only to discover nine years later that she had developed leukemia (AML). Cord blood saved her life.
​
​READ MORE about Deb here.

Source:  SavetheCordFoundation.org

AUTISM

Gracy Gregory
(Received Her Own Privately Banked Cord Blood)

When beautiful Gracie Gregory was born her parents chose to privately store her cord blood. At the time, they did not know if it would ever be used. However, after several warning signs as a toddler, Gracie was diagnosed with autism shortly after her 2nd birthday. Out of the blue one day, their private cord blood bank contacted them along with other clients asking if they would like to participate in a clinical trial at Duke University using cord blood to potentially treat autism symptoms.
​
​LEARN MORE about Gracy's experience here.

Source: CNN.com