Apr 5, 2006 10:33 am US/Mountain
Unique Cord Blood Transplant Saves Woman's Life
DENVER (CBS4) ―
A woman who was pregnant when she was diagnosed with leukemia is alive thanks to a unique transplant of umbilical cord blood from two different donors. It was the first time such a procedure had been performed in Colorado.
"There were some times where the odds were stacked against us," Sheila Gannon, a leukemia survivor said.
Gannon gave birth to her son Sawyer 2 weeks early so she could start chemotherapy.
There were infections and complications during that treatment. No bone marrow match was found. Centers that offer umbilical cord blood rejected Gannon at first because her leukemia wasn't in complete remission.
Dr. Peter McSweeney of the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers decided to try the lifesaving approach. He injected Gannon with cord blood from two different donors.
"We've tested her bone marrow twice since the transplant was performed one month and 2 months and on both occasions, we've found no evidence of leukemia," McSweeney said.
McSweeney said it was one of the most remarkable cases he's been involved in.
Months after the transplant, Gannon is still recovering and learning to walk again after weeks in bed. She's grateful to be alive after being given a 20 percent chance of surviving.
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