Nottingham, UK / Doha, Qatar
A life-saving stem cell transplant has given a young girl in Qatar a second chance at life, thanks to the foresight of her parents and the expertise of Future Health Biobank. The cord blood, collected at birth from her younger brother, was stored and preserved for over three years before being released for a stem cell transplant to treat her beta thalassaemia, a severe genetic blood disorder.
Ananya, now thriving after her transplant at Apollo Cancer Hospitals in India. She received stem cells from her younger brother Akash whose cord blood was stored on the day of his birth, 11 March 2020. The family made the decision to preserve the sample after a consulting doctor advised them it could one day be used for a transplant.
“When Ananya was diagnosed with beta thalassaemia, we were completely shattered,” said her parents, Saranya and Srinivas. “We didn’t know what the condition meant or how we would manage it. But we held onto hope. When our son was born, we stored his umbilical cord blood stem cells without knowing if he would be a match. That decision changed everything.”
The cord blood was collected in Qatar and shipped to Future Health Biobank’s laboratory in Nottingham, UK, where it was processed and preserved. On 12 July 2022, the sample was released and shipped to the transplant centre, arriving at the clinic on 14 July 2022. Ananya received her transplant the very next day.
“Using a specialised Nanocool collection kit, the sample was transported to and meticulously processed and preserved in our laboratory in Nottingham,” said Leon Staff, Managing Director of Future Health Biobank. “Our scientific team coordinated the sample's safe return to the hospital for transplant. Our years of expertise make this complex logistical undertaking seamless. It fills us with pride to hear from families who experience a positive life-changing impact from saving their baby's cord blood.”
The family described their experience with Future Health Biobank as deeply supportive and professional.
“From the moment we contacted Future Health, we felt like we were part of a family,” said Srinivas “They guided us through every step, from ordering the kit to arranging the collection and finally releasing the sample for treatment. It was seamless.”
Beta thalassaemia is a complex condition, and a stem cell transplant is often the only curative option. The success of the transplant depended on a perfect match between donor and recipient, something the family could only hope for when they chose to store Akash’s cord blood.
“It gives me great pleasure to have worked closely with and supported this wonderful family,” said Faizal Ismail, CEO of Future Health, Qatar and inspector for AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies). “Cord blood is a medical waste product that, when saved, could transform lives, just as it has done for this family. There are over 80 standard therapies using cord blood, with many other clinical trials. Witnessing first-hand what stem cells can do is remarkable.”
Today, Ananya is doing well and living an everyday life. Her parents describe her as full of strength and determination.
“She truly has the desire to live and conquer the world,” said her father. “Her willpower made her stand where she is today. We are grateful to everyone who supported us.”
The family's names have been changed for their privacy.
About Future Health Biobank
Future Health Technologies Ltd, T/A Future Health Biobank, was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Nottingham, UK. The company specialises in the collection, processing, and long-term storage of stem cells from umbilical cord blood, cord tissue, and teeth. With over 100,000 samples stored, Future Health Biobank is one of the world’s leading family stem cell banks.
Stem cells from cord blood are currently used in over 80 standard therapies for conditions such as leukaemias, anaemias, and solid tumours. Stem cells from cord tissue and teeth are being actively researched in clinical trials for regenerative treatments, including diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.
Future Health Biobank is part of the Future Health Group, which also includes BioEden, BioDock, and Future Health Laboratories. The latter offers advanced health screening services to help families gain vital insights into their genetic and overall health.
About Future Health, Qatar
Future Health Biobank has been represented in Qatar for over a decade through Future Health LLC, working closely with families to preserve their children’s precious stem cells. The Qatar team has successfully supported the release of a cord blood sample for life-saving treatment and offers personalised guidance throughout the stem cell storage journey.
In addition to stem cell services, Future Health Qatar also provides a range of health screening solutions, helping families make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
