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Cord Blood Stored by Future Health Biobank Saves Child in Qatar
A life-saving stem cell transplant has given a young girl in Qatar a second chance at life, thanks to the foresight of her parents and the expertise of Future Health Biobank. The cord blood, collected at birth from her younger brother, was stored and preserved for over two years before being released for a stem cell transplant to treat her beta thalassaemia, a severe genetic blood disorder.
“When Ananya was diagnosed with beta thalassaemia, we were completely shattered,” said her parents, Saranya and Srinivas. “We didn’t know what the condition meant or how we would manage it. But we held onto hope. When our son was born, we stored his umbilical cord blood stem cells without knowing if he would be a match. That decision changed everything.”
Ananya, age eight, and her family live in Doha, Qatar. When her younger brother Akash was born, the family made the decision to preserve his cord blood with Future Health Biobank, because a consulting doctor had advised them it could one day be used for a transplant.
The cord blood stem cells from Akash have crossed the world twice. First, following his birth in Qatar in March 2020, the sample was quickly shipped in a specialist collection kit to the laboratory of Future Health Biobank in Nottingham, UK. There, the cord blood was meticulously processed and preserved under the regulations of the UK Human Tissue Authority. When the family was ready, a cryogenic container holding frozen stem cells was securely transported to Apollo Cancer Hospital in Chennai, India. The sample arrived on 14 July 2022. Ananya received her transplant the very next day.
“Our scientific team coordinated the sample's safe return to the hospital for transplant. Our years of expertise make this complex logistical undertaking seamless. It fills us with pride to hear from families who experience a positive life-changing impact from saving their baby's cord blood” said Leon Staff, Managing Director of Future Health Biobank.
The family described their experience with Future Health Biobank as deeply supportive and professional. “From the moment we contacted Future Health, we felt like we were part of a family,” said Srinivas. “They guided us through every step, from ordering the kit to arranging the collection and finally releasing the sample for treatment. It was seamless.”
Beta thalassaemia is a complex condition, and a stem cell transplant is often the only curative option. The success of the transplant depends on a close genetic match between donor and recipient, something the family could only hope for when they chose to store Akash’s cord blood.
“It gives me great pleasure to have worked closely with and supported this wonderful family,” said Faizal Ismail, CEO of Future Health Qatar, and an inspector for AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies). “Cord blood is a medical waste product that, when saved, could transform lives, just as it has done for this family. There are over 80 standard therapies using cord blood, with many other clinical trials. Witnessing first-hand what stem cells can do is remarkable.”
Today, Ananya is doing well and living an everyday life. Her parents describe her as full of strength and determination. “She truly has the desire to live and conquer the world,” said her father. “Her willpower made her stand where she is today. We are grateful to everyone who supported us.”
(Please note the family’s names have been changed for their privacy.)