Illinois Federation

For Right to Life

Daily News

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Boy's Cord Blood Saves Sister with Leukemia

 

A toddler with cancer is improving after receiving umbilical-cord stem cells from her baby brother.

 

Three-year-old Bethanie Thomson from Scotland was diagnosed with leukemia when she was 6 months old. She relapsed when she was 2 — just weeks before her brother, Joshua, was born.

 

Joshua's cord-blood stem cells were a perfect match for Bethanie. Now, weeks later, she is making vast improvements.

 

"Scientists have found that umbilical cord blood, once thought to be medical waste, is a rich source of stem cells," said Dawn Vargo, bioethics analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "These ethical stem cells are treating a variety of diseases, including leukemia."

 

Source: CitizenLink

Source URL:  http://www.citizenlink.org

 

 

The IFRL is the largest grassroots pro-life organization in Illinois. A non-profit organization, that serves as the state coordinating body for local pro-life chapters representing thousands of Illinois citizens working to restore respect for all human life in our society. The IFRL is composed of people of different political persuasions, various faiths and diverse economic, social and ethnic backgrounds. Since 1973 the Illinois Federation for Right to Life has been working to end abortion and restore legal protection to those members of the human family who are threatened by abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. Diverse though we are, we hold one common belief - that every human being has an inalienable right to life that is precious and must be protected. IFRL is dedicated to restoring the right to life to the unborn, and protection for the disabled and the elderly.   Click here to learn more about the IFRL.