How His Own Cord Blood Saved Xiao An 19 Years Later
In an amazing demonstration of the effectiveness of cord blood banking, a story from the 10th Cord Blood Conference of the China Maternal and Child Health Association has showcased just how much difference umbilical cord blood biobanking makes. Eighteen-year-old Xiao An, diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, had a new lease of life after learning that his umbilical cord blood collected when he was a child could be used to treat him.
In 2021, Xiao An was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a critical condition whereby the immune system of the body targets and destroys the bone marrow. The cord blood, preserved since his birth in 2003, was perfectly viable and played a crucial role in his treatment. The successful stem cell transplant in December 2022 marked a historic moment as it became the longest duration of self-stored cord blood used in China.
“I didn’t expect that the umbilical cord blood saved for the child would actually save the child’s life 19 years later!” said Xiao An’s father.
Remarkably, just a month later, Xiao An’s condition improved significantly, and by February 2023, he was back to normal life.
Xiao An’s journey, from initial illness to recovery, underscores the crucial role of umbilical cord blood in treating various blood disorders and diseases.