An unborn baby may have the power to save the life of his, or her, uncle just minutes after they enter the world, its mother claims.
Georgina Russell, 31, from Preston, is desperate to help her brother Ashley – who has been given five years to live with his brain tumour.
The 34-year-old was diagnosed with the rare, slow-growing glioblastoma earlier this month and was warned surgery could leave him blind or disabled.
After scouring the internet for ways to destroy the tumour, Georgina then realised her pregnancy provided a ‘golden opportunity’.
Nutrient-rich stem cells in the baby’s umbilical cord can be harvested as soon as they are born. The baby is due at the start of October.
The controversial technique, used in trials across the world, has seen many children dubbed ‘saviour babies’ as they have helped to combat multiple illnesses.
This unborn baby may have the power to save the life of his, or her, uncle just minutes after they enter the world, his mother claims. It is due at the start of October
Georgina Russell, 31, from Preston, is desperate to help her brother Ashley – who has been given five years to live with his brain tumour (pictured together)
Georgina, who is currently on maternity leave, said: ‘I just want to do anything to help him. I know it sounds odd.
‘But with just seven weeks to go until I have my baby, it seems like the perfect opportunity to use what my body and my baby produces to help save my brother.
‘He got married last November and he has a little girl, Alexis, two, so he has so much to live for. I just want to make sure I have done everything I can to make him better.’
Georgina started investigating ways that her pregnancy might be able to help her brother, when he was diagnosed earlier this month.
Nutrient-rich stem cells
With just seven weeks until the birth, she discovered that stem cells from her baby’s umbilical cord could be harvested the moment the baby was born.
She said: ‘The blood from the cord is being used in trials across the world. It can do amazing things to help the body repair itself.
‘If we store the stem cells, they can be kept to be used throughout Ashley’s treatment when he needs them.
‘They might be able to inject them into the spinal fluid, to shrink the tumour on the brain, or they may be able to use the tissue grown from them to repair any damage to other parts of his body, if he has to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy.’
The process will not cause any harm to the baby, as the umbilical cord is removed in the normal way and would otherwise be placed in the bin.
Georgina added: ‘It does seem like a golden egg that would be such a waste if we threw it away.
The 34-year-old was diagnosed with the rare, slow-growing glioblastoma earlier this month and was warned surgery could leave him blind or disabled. After scouring the internet for ways to destroy the tumour, Georgina then realised her pregnancy provided a ‘golden opportunity’
‘Effectively, I could be throwing my brother’s life away at the same time. Stem cells are so powerful and his new niece or nephew could save his life.’
Timeline of events for Ashley
Around six months ago, Ashley, who used to be in the Royal Navy, started having headaches, dizzy spells and mini-seizures.
Initially, the father-of-one tried to ignore them, but, after a few weeks, he became concerned and decided to visit his GP.
With just seven weeks to go until I have my baby, it seems like the perfect opportunity to use what my body and my baby produces to help save my brother
Georgina Russell, 31
His doctor was worried there was something wrong with his heart and booked an ECG, which came back clear.
But Ashley started to suffer from blurred vision and his doctor suggested he should have an eye test.
On August 7, his optician spotted dark shadows behind his eyes and referred him to the Royal Preston Hospital for an urgent MRI.
The diagnosis
Two days later, Ashley, now a manager for Carphone Warehouse, was told that a large mass, believed cancerous, had been discovered on his brain.
As it is very slow growing, they are reluctant to aggravate the tumour by carrying out a biopsy or other procedures until necessary.
Georgina said: ‘With just seven weeks to go until I have my baby, it seems like the perfect opportunity to use what my body and my baby produces to help save my brother’
Georgina started investigating ways that her pregnancy might be able to help her brother, when he was diagnosed earlier this month (pictured with her sister Claire)
Ashley and his wife Emily, 34, a fashion designer, were told he would need surgery at some point in the future.
But there is a high risk he could end up blind or disabled and doctors have said in the worst case scenario, he only has about five years to live.
Although heartbroken, sister Georgina and the rest of his family were determined to remain positive and started looking for ways to help.
An unexpected diagnosis
Georgina, before starting a teacher training course next year, explained: ‘When Ashley was admitted, we never thought it would be a tumour that would be found.
‘I have epilepsy and I thought it was just going to be some sort of illness like that, which he would have to learn to live with.
‘I hate having to watch my brother deal with this. But I got over the initial shock, as I realised that being upset wasn’t go to do me, my baby, or Ashley any good.’
She added: ‘Ashley could have five years and it’s slow growing, so we are determined to do something with the time they have given him.
‘I will put as much time as we need into researching different treatments. I know we might not find something that works, but I want to know we have done absolutely everything we can.’
A fundraising campaign
The family are fundraising £10,000 through JustGiving, to pay for the storage of the stem cells after the birth, so they are available as soon as Ashley needs them. The rest of the money will go towards travel costs.
Ashley said: ‘When Georgina started to suggest using stem cells, I was shocked but I am willing to try anything.
‘I am quite a positive person so although the diagnosis was difficult, I am determined to do whatever I can to keep going.
‘I did think about not being around to see my little girl get married and knew that if there was anything that might help, I would give it a go.
‘My family and friends have been amazing throughout. I have received messages and donations from across the world and I am so touched by the support.’
To donate to Ashley’s JustGiving page, visit here.
Around six months ago, Ashley, who used to be in the Royal Navy, started having headaches, dizzy spells and mini-seizures
Initially, the father-of-one tried to ignore them, but, after a few weeks, he became concerned and decided to visit his GP