7 Healthcast: Stem cell baby

Nicholas Mercier of Oxford, is a healthy, happy 7-year-old. But that wasn't always the case.

Traci Mercier, Nicholas' mom
"We noticed a lot of bruises on his legs and arms that shouldn't be there

When he was two years old, the family was dealt a crushing blow.

Traci Mercier, Nicholas' mom
"They diagnosed him with acute lymphoblastomo."

He endured more than two years of radiation and chemotherapy to treat his cancer.
Traci Mercier, Nicholas' mom "It was two years and nine months that he received a clean bill of health

So it was in remission and we were getting on with our life, we thought cancer was behind us

During this time, Nicholas Mother got pregnant again and had a second son.

Traci Mercier, Nicholas' mom
"Low and behold I found out I was pregnant, not planned, it was a surprise baby."

Doctors, knowing what the family had already been thru, encouraged them to save the new baby's cord blood from the umbilical cord.

Traci Mercier, Nicholas' mom
"When we banked it, we'd never known if we'd use it, and we hoped we never did

But as it turned out, they did need it!

Three years into remission and Nicholas relapsed, and then things got worse.

Traci Mercier, Nicholas' mom
"Three weeks after he started his chemotherapy, his appendix ruptured, and that really changed the ballgame from that point on."

Nicholas' only chance for survival.... a bone marrow transplant-

Dr. Leslie Lehmann, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
"They saved their new baby's stem cells umbilical cord cells when the bay was born, and when Nicholas needed a bone marrow transplant, we were able to thaw and use those stem cells."

Little brother Braden's cord blood was a perfect match for Nicholas.

The cord blood stem cells were transplanted to boost his already weak immune system.

Dr. Leslie Lehmann, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
"Using the cord blood stem cells instead of the bone marrow cells is associated with a better fit and um less likelihood of that new marrow attacking the patient."

Today, Nicholas is cancer free, thanks to his baby brother!

Kevin Mercier, Nicholas'dad
"Nick is here today because she saved this cord blood.. there is no doubt, you don't want to think the worst, but we had it, and Braden was a perfect match, it was a miracle."

There are a lot of benefits to cord blood treatments, but there can of course be a downside as well.

Doctors say the children can get very sick from the treatments, and sometimes not make it through the transplant. So be sure to talk with your doctors first to weigh all the options available.

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