Case Study: Little Nigerian Boy Cured of Sickle Cell by Cord Blood Transplant

This is the tale of a young boy with a significant name: Kamsiyochukwu Bryan Peter Ezenwa. "Kam-si-yọ-chukwu" is a traditional Igbo name, meaning "exactly as I asked God." Hailing from Nigeria, Kamsiyochukwu and his family resided in India when, at the age of two in 2013, he received the diagnosis of Sickle Cell Anaemia. Sickle Cell is an inherited blood disorder that alters the shape of red blood cells, hindering their ability to carry oxygen effectively. The distorted cells also have a tendency to adhere to each other, causing blockages in small blood vessels. Individuals with sickle cell experience chronic fatigue due to insufficient oxygen, coupled with pain and swelling crises from obstructed blood vessels. A lifelong regimen of blood transfusions, medications to modify blood cell shape, and pain relievers becomes a necessity. Over time, organ damage accumulates, leading to a shortened life expectancy.

Kamsiyochukwu's mother, Blessing Ezenwa, discovered from her son's doctors that a stem cell transplant from a sibling could alleviate his pain crises and potentially cure his Sickle Cell. In 2018, she gave birth to a second son and preserved his cord blood with Cordlife Sciences India, a cord blood bank affiliated with the Cordlife Group situated near Kolkata. In January 2020, Kamsiyochukwu underwent chemotherapy at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi, followed by a transplant of his baby brother's cord blood stem cells. Blessing Ezenwa expresses her gratitude, stating, "Since then till now, there is no crisis, no pain, no nothing; he is okay. We are back home in Nigeria." She acknowledges Cordlife for their prompt delivery of the cord blood, emphasizing the smooth execution of their commitment.

Furthermore, as part of the cord blood banking arrangement with Cordlife, the family engaged in an insurance plan that contributed towards the expenses of the stem cell transplant. Blessing Ezenwa extends her appreciation for Cordlife's financial assistance, saying, "I also want to say a big thank you to Cordlife for their financial support. We have received it. They helped out financially through the help of insurance. The package that comes along with the saving of the cord blood. Thank you so much. God bless your company. God bless all their workers. And God also bless the insurance company."

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Source: https://parentsguidecordblood.org/en/news/kamsiyochukwu-cured-sickle-cell-cord-blood-transplant?fbclid=IwAR33p1vs-F_Xg5LHSMxxA6o2lcrEutKhmTeQoAH1-gMf8ZovahzKl6tBB_w