Dear Expecting Parents,

My name is Darla and my 11-year old son Spencer has Type 1
Diabetes. I’m sharing our family's story to help spread the word about
exciting emerging treatments using cord blood.

My son’s diabetes diagnosis was unforeseen, and the severity of his
disease turned his life and our family’s life upside down. Prior to his
cord blood transfusion Spencer’s life revolved around his insulin
shots – 42 in one week! As a mother, I felt helpless until I learned
of a Diabetes trial using a child’s own cord blood. Thankfully we had
saved Spencer’s and he was able to participate in the trial.

Since Spencer’s cord blood transfusion over one year ago, the
number of insulin shots has been greatly reduced. All thanks to
the decision we made to save our son’s cord blood.

There is still a lot we don’t know, but Spencer’s improvements give me great hope for his future. My hope is that Spencer’s story inspires you to make a well-informed decision about storing your baby’s cord blood.

Thanks for reading our story and best of luck with the new baby.

Darla L.

**The use of cord blood to treat Type 1 Diabetes and Cerebral Palsy is still experimental. There is no guarantee that the cord blood will be an appropriate or effective treatment. Although the potential use of umbilical cord blood is expanding rapidly, the odds that a family without a defined risk will need to use their child's umbilical cord blood are low. There is no guarantee that the umbilical cord blood will be a match for a family member or will provide a cure. As with any transplant therapy, therapeutic success depends upon many factors beyond the stem cells themselves including patient condition, type of disease, recipient-donor relationship and matching, and other factors.