WHEN YOU KNOW YOU NEED IT

Netcells also runs a sibling cord blood donor programme, called Families of Hope, which aims to improve poor and disadvantaged families’ access to stem cell banking if they have a child with a stem-cell-treatable disease.

“If a disadvantaged child requires a bone marrow stem cell transplant, and his/her mother is expecting a child from the same father, we will facilitate the collection of the cord blood, and process, test and store the cord blood until it is needed for transplant in the ill sibling.

“In this way, we hope to expand the opportunity to families who are faced with a life-threatening disease but cannot afford to save their baby’s precious stem cells at birth,” says Dr Holt.

For more info regarding cord blood banking, visit nextbio.co.za. ●