Nathan Mumford has one of the most impressive cancer survival stories on the planet! He is a three-time cancer survivor who has fought three different kinds of cancer. Nathan survived his last bout of cancer thanks to cord blood therapy, which uses the stem cells from umbilical cord blood.
Nathan was born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio in 1988. At the age of 8, he was diagnosed with his first cancer — Hodgkin’s disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system. Doctor’s told Nathan’s parents that he only had a 40% chance of survival. He began chemotherapy treatments in an attempt to eradicate the cancerous cells from his body.
It was a tough time for Nathan, with the chemotherapy treatments carrying some extreme side effects. Thankfully, he beat his cancer and was in remission by the 6th-grade.
However, cancer wasn’t finished with him just yet! In 2004, at the age of 24, he was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Doctors told him that chemotherapy alone wouldn’t be able to cure his cancer this time — he needed a bone marrow transplant.
He was in hospital for six months, hoping that a bone marrow match would be found. Unfortunately, doctors could not find a match. His oncologist suggested that he enter a new cord blood therapy trial that was being run by the National Cord Blood Program.
Nathan jumped at the chance, which looked like his only hope. He received a cord blood transplant in 2006 and within a few months he was declared cancer free. He had fought cancer twice and survived!
It was easier for Nathan to find a cord blood stem cell match because the younger stem cells found in cord blood are less likely to trigger an immune system rejection once transplanted.
Nathan had some personal tragedies over the next few years including his mother passing away from breast cancer and a close friend being killed. He soldiered on through the tough times and stayed positive.
In 2013, he married his fiancé and things were looking up. Then doctors gave him more bad news — he had colon cancer. Doctors said it was most likely a secondary disease caused by prolonged chemotherapy treatments.
With the help of some incredible doctors and support of his family — he beat that cancer as well. Today, Nathan is a spokesman for the incredible healing potential of cord blood stem cells. He also founded the KEM Foundation, named after his mother Karen E. Mumford. It provides support for cancer patients throughout the Cleveland and NYC area.
Source: Nathan Mumford: Proof We Can Beat Cancer with Cord Blood
{{cta(’67c42548-ae7a-4f21-bbcb-59a71252963b’)}}