Thanks to a transplant of stem cells using donated umbilical cord blood from the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, 11-year-old Russell Witek celebrated five years of being cancer-free a month ago.

Just a day before his fourth birthday, Russell was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, according to mom Karen Witek in a phone interview from the family’s home in suburban Chicago.

"We just had a party where we invited friends and family and members of the cord blood bank to come over for an ice cream social that we made it five years out," said Witek.

After about two-and-a-half years of drug treatments, Russell’s leukemia relapsed in 2000, when he was 6. His doctors at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago told the family his only hope was to undergo a bone marrow transplant.

Also known as acute lymphocytic leukemia or acute lymphoid leukemia, the illness is caused by a change in the cells found in bone marrow. In most cases, it is unknown why the change occurs, but a few environmental factors have been connected to the illness.

Witek said family members tested as potential donors, but no one was found to be a perfect match. After a search, doctors found several adult bone marrow matches and a cord blood match from the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank.

"The benefit of the adult (bone marrow) was that you could go back and get more," said Karen Witek. "But the benefit of the cord blood was that the side effects were not as great. And the cells are so pliable, and they adjust to your system so well. That was the big benefit."

Witek said her son is looking forward to the day he turns 24, because that will be age when he just might be able to meet the person who helped save his life.

Because the donor is still a minor and a confidentiality agreement is in place, Witek said the family would not be able to meet the donor until he or she turns 18 and consents to the meeting.

Witek said she believes the donation was "just because they probably thought it was a good thing to do — they don’t know what it means to us."

Without the cord blood donation, Witek said, she wonders what would have happened to Russell if they instead went with an adult bone marrow transplant. But she said she left the decision in the hands of God.

"I just think that God definitely has a plan for this whole thing, and He definitely has His hand on it," she said. "The day of the transplant, my husband and I — neither one of us had any great concerns or worries. It was just unbelievable, considering what your child looks like on that day, and how they get you prepared for it and talk about the worst-case scenario."

Witek said the family also has travelled to St. Louis to meet with the staff at the St. Louis Cord Blood Bank to thank them for the service they provide.

"It was really neat to come down and say thank you to them," she said. "I feel like I owe St. Louis a whole lot."

The above article was written by Jennifer Brinker and appeared in the St. Louis Review on November 4, 2005.