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Cord Blood Cured Me
– Reported, June 06 2014
In the 1970s, researchers discovered that a newborns umbilical cord blood contained special stem cells that could help certain diseases. More than 30 years later, doctors are still experimenting with, learning more about and perfecting the use of cord blood.
Amanda Canale doesnt take time with her daughter and niece for granted. Shes just happy to feel good.
Ive been in the hospital, and Ive been sick my whole life, Canale told Ivanhoe.
Canale was born with a rare blood disorder that required daily shots.
Basically, I have no white blood cells, Canale explained. I have no immune system at all.
At 23, she developed leukemia and was given two weeks to live. She desperately needed a bone marrow transplant, but family members werent matches. Her doctor suggested an umbilical cord blood transplant.
The cord was a perfect match and it was available, so it was the right solution for her, Edward Agura, MD, Medical Director of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, told Ivanhoe.
Cord blood contains stem cells that regenerate. Mothers of newborns can save their childs own blood or donate it. More than 30,000 transplants have been performed worldwide. However, because the blood comes from a tiny newborn, theres not much of it.
The cord blood is rare, precious and few, and yet is more potent in its ability to grow, Dr. Agura explained.
Now, doctors at Baylor are treating patients by combining cord blood from multiple donors. Theyve found this increases the number of stem cells and provides faster recovery.
Canale’s transfusion was from a baby whose mother donated six years earlier. The procedure completely cured her cancer and blood disorder.
Sometimes I have to sit back and think its not real because Im used to taking shots every day, Canale said. Im used to being sick.
Now, she can enjoy time with a little girl whos glad to have a healthy mom.
I think shes awesome and that shes really strong, Canale’s daughter, Amanda, told Ivanhoe.
Experts say many more patients could be helped if babies cord blood was not thrown away, as it is in 96 percent of the nations four-million annual births. On average, it costs about 1,200 dollars up front and 100 dollars per year to privately store cord blood. However, mothers can donate to a public bank for free. For more information, visit bloodcell.transplant.hrsa.gov.
(Source: http://www.webmd.com/