Patrizia Durante was in her third trimester when she was diagnosed with acute leukemia. She said it was a terrifying moment. Doctors told Durante to prepare documents because there was a good chance she wouldn’t make it without a bone marrow transplant.
No compatible donor was available.
Dr Laneuville, a hematologist at McGill University Health Centre, took a chance. Knowing the baby’s umbilical cord contained blood rich in stem cells that can generate the blood system; he froze the cord and kept it.
The outcome couldn’t have been better. Seven months later, Durante is in complete remission.
“She’s my miracle,” says Durante. “I mean, I gave birth to this wonderful child, this miracle who then saved my life. It’s just an unbelievable story.” Laneuville said he hopes umbilical stem cells will be used for other therapies, such as to repair heart muscles or even damaged brain and nerve tissue.
