Cord blood sample release UPDATE

As reported last month, a cord blood sample processed and stored by Future Health Biobank has been released and transplanted into a sick teenager in Jordan.

Sixteen-year old Laith Abu Areesh had Fanconi’s Anemia, a condition that affects the bone marrow’s ability to make healthy blood cells. Doctors had failed to find a suitable bone marrow sample.

New hope for Laith arrived in October 2010 with the birth of his baby sister. Her cord blood sample proved to be a perfect match for her sick brother. The sample which was stored by Future Health was sent to the King Hussein Cancer Centre where the transplant took place.

A bone marrow test taken some weeks later showed that Laith was producing normal levels of red and white blood cells, demonstrating that the stem cell transplantation was successful. His doctors are very confident that Laith will now be able to live a normal, healthy life. Laith left hospital on 24th June 2012, just a month after his transplant and is looking forward to being back at home, seeing friends and catching up with his school studies.

“We are delighted that this transplant has been a success,” said Roger Dainty MBE. “As Laith’s treatment shows, stem cells stored with us could be a lifeline not only for the child they belong to but for their siblings and also parents or even grandparents.”