“My Brother Saved My Life”

PublicAffairs — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:15:00 GMT

Joseph Davis Jr., was diagnosed in his second year of life with sickle cell anemia, a serious and potentially life-threatening blood disorder. Doctors initially told his parents that he might not live past his teens. The family searched for a stem cell donor, but couldn’t find a match anywhere in the world. Fortunately, the family got a second chance when Joseph received a transplant of newborn stem cells from his younger brother Isaac’s umbilical cord blood. Today, Joseph’s doctors say he is cured.

This month’s issue of Dallas Child magazine features the story of the Davis family in a comprehensive, thoughtful article that also highlights the benefits and potential future uses of cord blood stem cells.

The Davises were able to bank younger son Isaac’s cord blood at no cost through CBR’s Designated Treatment Program which was the first program to offer free cord blood banking to families with a medical need.

The Davis Family has made educating others about cord blood banking their new mission in life. They are open about sharing their story because they want to help expectant parents - just like them - who have a family history of a disease that may be treated with cord blood stem cells IF they save them.

Because Isaac’s cord blood stem cells were a perfect match for Joseph, he is not only cured, but he does not suffer any of the medical complications that can occur if the stem cells are not a close match and the body rejects them.

Today, Joseph Jr. is proud to say, “My brother saved my life.” Isaac thinks it’s pretty cool, too.

The Stem Cell Source : Joseph Davis Jr.

“My Brother Saved My Life”