Friendship Forms Over Cord Blood Transplants

Two families from opposite ends of the world found themselves united by the miracle of cord blood therapy. The Schaffers in Pennsylvania have forged a lifelong bond with the Alnornoz's from Ecuador, as children from both families recently underwent cord blood transplants to help treat Malignant Infantile Osteopetrosis.  

Malignant Infantile Ostepetrosis is a rare disease caused by the malfunction of osteoclast cells. It causes patients to have abnormal bones, which can lead to bone marrow failure, hearing loss and blindness. A common treatment method for the disease is a stem cell transplant and without receiving treatment, it is not likely that patients will survive past the age of 10-years-old.  

Mason Schaffer was diagnosed with this dangerous disease at just five months of age. After experiencing seizures, low white blood cell count and loss of vision, his doctors determined that he was suffering from Malignant Infantile Ostepetrosis. He received a cord blood transplant within two months and experienced improvement shortly after the procedure. Two years later, Mason continues to improve.  

Last year, the Alnornoz family received the same bad news about their son, Joaquin. After being diagnosed with Malignant Infantile Ostepetrosis, the family’s doctor informed them about the Schaffer’s case. They quickly reached out to the family, who walked the Alnornoz’s through the entire process.  

”They gave us hope,” says Joaquin’s father, Sebastian.