A Bond as Powerful as Cord Blood

"We looked into [cord blood banking] and once we saw the potential, we knew we wanted the peace of mind that banking would give us."
- Wendy Doheney

A mother's instinct

It's difficult enough to hear this diagnosis once, but Wendy Doheney had to hear these terrifying words twice.

The first time was when her son, Keegan, was just 2. After the first diagnosis, doctors were able to get his leukemia into remission. After this, the Doheneys stayed optimistic, but were aware a relapse was possible.

The second time they heard those words, Keegan was in kindergarten.”I was at home," Wendy remembers. "And I just got this feeling that something was wrong. I called Keegan's doctor and I think she thought I was nuts - there was nothing outwardly wrong with him. But I just knew."

Unfortunately, Wendy Doheney's instincts proved correct and Keegan's leukemia had come back. This time, there was a ray of hope that wasn’t available to the family the first time around; the Doheneys had banked the umbilical cord blood stem cells of Keegan's younger brother, Keldan. If the boys were a match, doctors could use the stem cells to rebuild Keegan's blood and immune system after chemotherapy.

The good news came quickly

After the Doheney’s consulted with Keegan’s doctors about the cord blood they had saved, the good news came quickly: the boys were a match. Doctors performed the transplant and Keegan has been healthy for nine years and counting. A stellar athlete and straight A student, Keegan continues to live a happy, active life. To this today, he has a special bond with his little brother, Keldan.

"There's always laughter when they're together," Wendy says. "People always comment on how close they are." Keegan has a simpler take on the matter. "My little brother saved my life," he notes. "If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here."