Cord Blood Registry Helped Save Our Daughter's Life

In 1997 Andy and Cynthia Teasley made a decision that nearly 10 years later, saved their daughter's life. It happened on a day when like many expectant fathers Andy found himself waiting for his wife in their ob/gyn's office. "There was a brochure from Cord Blood Registry on the counter. I picked it up and read it," said Andy. "It was the first I'd ever heard of banking umbilical cord blood."

Although the technology was very new, the couple knew that family banking would provide a perfect stem cell match for their daughter and the possibility of a good match for another sibling or relative. "I've always believed in doing things that were cutting edge health wise for our family. We decided to go with CBR because they were progressive; they had the information and were getting it out to the public," said Cynthia.

The Teasley's obstetrician had never done a cord blood collection before. However, he told them to bring the kit to the hospital and not to worry. Cynthia gave birth to a baby girl and named her Katherine. "I remember hearing my husband read the directions to the nurse on how to collect the cord blood," said Cynthia. The couple sighed with relief when CBR called to tell them that Katie's cord blood had arrived safely and was in good shape.

As their daughter Katie grew up, Andy and Cynthia paid their yearly storage fee and entrusted her stem cells to CBR. Unexpectedly in 2006, the family was faced with a significant health challenge. Physicians at City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California diagnosed Kate with aplastic anemia. "It's one of those diseases that strike in the middle of the night," said Andy. "It's not usually genetic."

When considering treatment options, Andy remembered that they had stored Katie's cord blood with CBR. He suggested using her banked stem cells to treat the disease. Yet, physicians were apprehensive and recommended a series of chemical treatments instead. Rather then put Katie through a long regimen of drug treatments and blood transfusions that may or may not work; Andy did some research. He spoke with a doctor who had done the cord blood procedure for aplastic anemia with another child. He was convinced it could work, if there was an adequate sample and the storage was done properly.

City of Hope physicians went ahead with the transplant because after being in storage for nearly ten years, Katie's stem cells were 98 percent viable. At approximately eight weeks post transplant Katie was considered 100 percent normal in terms of blood production from her bone marrow. She's had no adverse effects from the transplant and no graft vs. host disease because the stem cells were a 100 percent perfect match. Her prognosis is excellent.

Katie Teasley is now in fourth grade. She loves to dance, draw and play the piano. Her parents don't know why she got sick; they're just grateful the stem cells were there to help her. Or as Katie likes to say," "Stem cells helped me get energized. They helped me get ready for everything, and they made me feel better".