Aussie study brings hope to a Templeton family
AMY CLASS
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| Anahera Inns, 4, with baby brother Tiaki aged 4 months. Blood from his umbilical cord may one day help Anahera'scystic fibrosis. |
Anahera has cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic lung disease that cannot be cured.
However, a University of Melbourne faculty of medicine study aims to prove that stem-cell-rich umbilical cord blood can treat cystic fibrosis by regenerating lung cells.
Melbourne University medical genetics professor Bob Williamson said the project would eventually use
sibling's cord blood to treat children with cystic fibrosis (CF).
"Sibling cord blood has a one-in-four chance of being a perfect match that will not be rejected by the immune system of the child living with CF," he said.
Progress was slow, since it was essential to prove cells were safe to use in the lung, but the research was "positive", he said. However, a breakthrough on the research could be several years away.
New Zealand cord-blood stem-cell banking facility CordBank had since offered free sibling cord-blood banking to families who had a child with CF, he said.
"Because CordBank has come on board with the project, we are ensuring that affected families are banking precious sibling cord blood now, so they are ready when a breakthrough comes."
With the assistance of CordBank, the Inns family was able to collect the cord blood from Anahara's youngest brother, Tiaki, who was born in February.
The family were given free collection and storage for the next 18 years.
The blood is collected after a baby is born, before the mother's placenta is delivered. It must be transported to Auckland quickly for processing and storage.
So far, seven New Zealand families have taken up the CordBank offer.
Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand chief executive Kate Russell said cystic fibrosis "is an expensive illness and families with a CF child can be placed under severe financial strain".
"People would be surprised at what the Government does not fund in terms of the most basic medical equipment and support for these families," she said.
Cecileah Inns said her daughter had "as normal a life as possible".
The toddler endured vigorous physiotherapy and was nebulised daily to help with lung drainage, she said.
"She's articulate and brave - a right little character. She doesn't know any different."
Anahera enjoyed being a "bossy" big sister to her brothers Mika, 3, and Tiaki, four months, neither of whom has cystic fibrosis.
Source: The Press, 4th July, 2011
