It was then the couple met Revathy Raj, a doctor at Apollo Speciality Hospital here, who advised Thamira to start taking iron reducing medications initially. She asked the Kumars to consider another pregnancy and suggested that they opt for an umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant. A pre-natal test confirmed that the foetus was unaffected by thalassaemia.

'We approached various societies and LifeCell International, for financial assistance. LifeCell helped us to preserve my son's cord blood stem cells free of cost at their centre in Chennai,' Kumar said.

For a year, the extracted cord blood stem cells were preserved under specific conditions. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) test was done which proved that the tissues of both the children matched and the treatment could proceed.

'The first step was to destroy all the existing bone marrow cells for which chemotherapy was used. Then the donor's stem cells were injected in the patient's body. The procedure requires no surgery,' explained Raj.

In March 2009, the transplant was done at the Apollo Hospital and it helped Thamira get rid of thalassaemia.

The stem cells that were transplanted came from her brother's umbilical cord blood and his bone marrow.

'When they used the needles for blood transfusion it would hurt. Sometimes they would never get the vein but still I had to go for blood transfusions every month. My brother's cord blood saved me or I knew I wouldn't have been alive for long. I love my brother,' said young Thamira.

'This success I am sure will give new hope to thousands of families whose children are unfortunately the victim of this dreadful disease. It feels very fulfilling that LifeCell could make an impact in a child's life. We are very happy to be a part of this success story,' said Mayur Abhaya, president and executive director, LifeCell International.