The Journey of Esmond Cheng's Stem Cell Transplant"

Esmond Cheng faced a daunting challenge as a three-month-old baby when he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that left his immune system in a fragile state. With infections becoming a constant threat to his health, a stem cell transplant emerged as his only viable option; however, the search for a suitable match within his own family proved unsuccessful. Although a willing donor from Hong Kong came forward, complications arose when Esmond began experiencing recurrent fevers and infections that lasted over a year, ultimately causing that opportunity to slip away.

In desperation, Esmond's parents sought the help of Singapore’s only public cord blood bank, following their doctor's recommendation. Remarkably, they found a matching cord blood unit within a month, thanks to a generous donor. Today, as a healthy 12-year-old, Esmond has overcome the odds, and his father, Edmund, expresses gratitude for the resilience shown by his son during their difficult times. He recounts how the medical professionals were impressed by Esmond's determination and strength.

The Singapore Cord Blood Bank, situated within KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, has made significant strides since its inception two decades ago, having successfully collected around 75,000 units from donors. However, despite increased awareness about the advantages of cord blood, the bank continues to face difficulties in attracting a sufficient number of donors, hampering its ability to offer a diverse range of units for patients in need.