Brodie Munz was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months old and his symptoms were limited movement in his left side and development delays. Ben and Brenda, Brodie’s parents, chose to collect his baby sister Zoey’s cord blood through Cell Care’s sibling collection program. Brodie was one of the cord blood infusion recipients in the MCRI Phase I trial in Melbourne with his treatment taking place in December 2018.

Professor Iona Novak, Head of Research at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute said, “The sibling program that Brodie has benefited from is a significant contribution to cerebral palsy research in Australia. The clinical trial that Brodie participated in is an important study that will add to the growing body of evidence assessing cord blood infusion as a potential therapy for cerebral palsy.”

Based on safety and clinical benefits reported in cord blood trials, the FDA (in the US) has granted expanded access, compassionate use and expedited access to trials that utilise cord blood in the treatment of cerebral palsy. Families must have stored their child’s or matched siblings cord blood in a family bank.

Since the cord blood transfusion, Brenda and Ben have reported notable improvements in Brodie’s condition.

“Particularly with his left arm, since the cord blood treatment Brodie’s increased movement and strength in his left arm has had a significant impact on his quality of life. Prior to December, he would avoid playground apparatus requiring use of his left arm; it’s no longer the case now.”
Brenda says “I’ve even noticed a difference in his intellectual ability. He is definitely brighter and more engaging since the infusion.”

Umbilical cord blood and tissue are rich in powerful stem cells that can only be collected at birth.