Boy Receives Cord Blood Transplant in Australia

Max Schuetz, a seven-year-old leukemia patient, has been given a second chance thanks to a cord blood unit from a donor from across the ocean in Australia.

Max was diagnosed when he was just 22 months old. Max fought the disease and responded well to his cancer treatment. In 2009, he finished his treatment but relapsed just one year later.

An online campaign was held to help Max find a cord blood donor. Organizations like Miracle Party and Be The Match held drives, encouraging members of Max’s local community to get tested to see if they were a match for the young leukemia patient.

Efforts proved futile, as no matches could be found for Max. His family was about to lose hope, when his mother was informed that there was a cord blood match from a baby in Australia. Although the unit is not a perfect match, it is Max’s best chance at fighting the diseases.

He received his transplant last Wednesday, two days before his seventh birthday. He and his family are eagerly awaiting the results of the transplant and remain optimistic that he will pull through.

http://www.montrosepress.com/articles/2011/02/18/news/doc4d5e0a12c81b0799026254.txt