Grant Gibbens was just a few months old when doctors realised that he had Leukaemia. It was a tough start to life for little Grant with frequent stays in the hospital and numerous tests.
He even had to spend his first birthday in isolation at the Florida Hospital for Children, because his immune system was too weak to be around other children. Grant’s parents, Jessica and John Gibbens of Palm Bay, were saddened that they could not throw him a birthday party — however, they are hopeful that he will soon be cured of leukaemia thanks to a life-saving cord blood transplant.
Grant received a cord blood transplant from his younger brother. The procedure involves high doses of chemotherapy, which kills the mutated blood-forming stem cells in Grant’s body.
That is followed by a cord blood transplant. These stem cells will help Grant’s body begin to produce healthy blood cells once more. Because the stem cells are coming from Grant’s brother, they are compatible and won’t be rejected by his immune system.
Grant’s parents weren’t intending on having a second child so soon. However, when they realised that Grant needed stem cells from a sibling to have the greatest chance of survival they didn’t hesitate.
Many thousands of people have been saved by the incredible restorative effects of stem cells. More than 80 different medical conditions are now treated with stem cells, including many forms of Leukaemia. Grant’s parents hope that he will now enjoy a cancer-free future!
Source: Toddler receives life-saving bone-marrow transplant from baby brother
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