News
“I’m so happy I didn’t die…”
We all get a chance to share Frances Everall’s joy this week as she celebrates 4 years free from the deadly cancer that nearly claimed her life. In an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day 7 November 2011 (on sale from today), Frances and her family enjoy a party they never thought they’d see. Thanks to her cord…
Study seeks cord blood cure for Type 2 Diabetes
A study at Shandong University in China is currently recruiting participants to investigate the efficacy of cord blood stem cells to treat Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes. In New Zealand about 270,000 people have Type 2 diabetes and about one third of cases of Type…
Milestone for Kiwi cord blood cancer survivor – 4 years in remission
Next month will see Aucklander, Frances Everall celebrating the fourth anniversary since her successful reinfusion with her cord blood stem cells, a very special milestone her family never thought she’d see. In 2007, aged just four, Frances Everall was diagnosed with a Stage 4 Neuroblastoma (a cancer of the nervous system) and one of the…
Can autologous cord blood stem cells cure hearing loss in children?
Back in 2009, we reported on research from Italy published in the journal Cell Transplantation that investigated whether hearing loss due to cochlear damage could be repaired by transplanting cord blood stem cells. At the time the research team carried out their testing on animal models. Moving forward to 2011, the research is now ready…
Maia’s story raises $65,000 for medical research in NZ
Over $65,000 will be invested in research into regenerative and stem cell medicine in New Zealand – thanks to Maia Friedlander and her family. The unique fundraiser was sponsored by The Friedlander Foundation. Daniel & Jillian Friedlander are the parents of Auckland girl Maia, who was the first New Zealand to benefit from a reinfusion…
Stem cell therapy now available for pets
A new stem cell treatment costing around AU$2,500 is now available for pets. The treatment involves new cells being placed into damaged tissue to treat disease or injury. Injured and arthritic dogs are undergoing stem cell treatment for the first time at two separate vet clinics in Mundaring and Champion Lakes in Western Australia. The…
New study to treat liver disease with cord blood
A study is being conducted by China’s Qingdao University to investigate the efficacy of cord blood to treat liver cirrhosis. Cirrhosis of the liver is now the third highest cause of death in the Western world. The devastating disease is caused by factors including alcohol abuse and hepatitis resulting in scarring and poor liver function….
Sickle cell anaemia cure from sibling cord blood
A little girl suffering from sickle cell anaemia is now well and back at school following an umbilical cord blood stem cell transfusion from her brother. Since birth, American girl Carol Mulumba, now 10, had been shuttled to and from emergency rooms and specialists, fighting Sickle cell anaemia – an inherited abnormality of the blood…
Significant stem cell trial for Multiple Sclerosis patients
A significant clinical trial due to start later this year across Europe, will aim to slow, stop or even reverse the damage Multiple Sclerosis (MS) causes to the brain and spinal cord. Researchers will collect stem cells from the bone marrow of patients, grow them in the laboratory and then re-inject them into their blood….
Cord blood transplants predicted to increase by 500%
The National Marrow Donor Program in the United States projects that 10,000 cord blood stem cell transplants will be performed annually by 2015, up from 2,000 in 2006… an increase of a staggering 500% according to Dr Robert Dracker, Executive Medical Director, Americord Registry. The leading haematologist, transfusion medicine specialist and recognised leader in cord…