Sarah Getliff never imagined another mother’s umbilical cord would save her 15-year-old son’s life.
But that’s exactly what happened when Adam Getliff was diagnosed with leukemia last summer — and no matching bone marrow donor could be found.
Doctors infused blood from an anonymously-donated umbilical cord into Adam’s body. A month later, his white blood cell count had risen significantly and doctors considered the procedure a success.
“The cord blood transplant was the only way Adam would have lived,” said Getliff. “We’re so grateful to the mother who donated, whoever she is.”
The Getliffs hope Adam’s story will inspire others to save a life — by donating blood or registering to become a bone marrow or umbilical cord blood donor at the “Be a Perfect Match” drive Saturday.
Bone marrow test kits will be available for a reduced cost of $25 at the drive.
The drive was organized by Mary Kapala, who knows the Getliff family through church.
Kapala said she was moved by Adam’s strength and determination.
“Adam has been such an inspiration to those around him,” she said. “He has remained positive through his whole experience.”
When no one in Getliff’s family turned out to be a bone marrow match, they searched the National Bone Marrow Registry, marrow.org.
Even after an international search, they still had no luck finding a match.
Adam finally received the transplant he needed on Dec. 1, after finding a match on a cord blood registry.
“The amazing thing about cord blood is there are so many ways it can be used,” Sarah Getliff said. “But donating the umbilical cord is something you have to remember to opt in to do before your delivery. It’s really quite sad that it’s not something just routinely done.”
The Getliffs do not know their donor’s identity.
“We know she had a little girl, but other than that, we don’t know when or where (she gave birth),” Sarah Getliff said.
Although they are thankful for the life-saving donation, Adam continues to struggle with his health.
Earlier this week, he was admitted to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for a bacterial infection in his lungs. His compromised immune system makes getting sick very dangerous, his mother said.
The family — which also includes Adam’s father and three older siblings — hopes the worst is behind them.
“If you have faith, you’re lifted up,” Sarah Getliff said. “You’re carried through it.”
How many more stories like Adam's would we see if more people stored or donated their babies cord blood? I think it would be FAR GREATER as our medical community continues to pave new ground with research, therapies, and treatments using umbilical cord blood stem cells. I strongly urge that every expecting mother to become aware and educated on why this service can be a life-changing decision for their family.................MrCordBlood
No comments:
Post a Comment