NHS Cord Blood Bank

At 10 days old, Alessia was taken to hospital with a severe skin complaint causing her skin to blister and weep. When she didn’t respond to antibiotics, further tests revealed that she was suffering from Omens SCID, a rare life-threatening immune deficiency.

A stem cell transplant was Alessia’s only hope for survival and the search for a stem cell unit began. The best match for Alessia was found in a cord blood unit, which was collected 9 years previously. Alessia received her cord blood transplant in February 2006 and she left hospital nine weeks later. The cord blood transplant was a complete success and Alessia is now a healthy, happy and active little girl.

• If you think you could help someone like Alessia, Register today to donate your cord blood

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