levine family

Chloe Levine

Featured CBR Client Story

Girl's Own Cord Blood Reversing Impact of Brain Injury

Chloe Levine story on FOX News"It's a miracle," said
Dr. Manny Alvarez,
FOX News medical correspondent and health editor. "Stem cells certainly can rejuvenate tissue."
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Chloe's Story

"Cord blood was Chloe's chance for a new life."

--Jenny Levine, mother of Chloe whose cord blood was banked by CBR

Chloe Levine was born a healthy girl. At least that is what everyone thought. However, at nine months old, Chloe couldn't use her right hand or raise it above her head. Instead of crawling, she would drag her right leg behind her.

When Chloe was one, she was diagnosed with a type of brain injury - known as cerebral palsy - that caused paralysis on the right side of her body. Chloe's physician believes it was caused by a stroke before she was born. Her mom Jenny was devastated. "It totally crushed me - it makes me want to cry every time I think about that moment," she said. But they weren't ready to give up hope.

Fortunately, the Levines had stored Chloe's cord blood stem cells (with Cord Blood Registry) at birth so she was able to undergo a potentially life-altering treatment at Duke University. Soon after Chloe was infused with her cord blood "things started happening that she could never do before. Her progress has been dramatic," Jenny said.

Chloe's physical therapist, Dottie Waldo, was shocked at the recovery of movement in Chloe's hand and arm. "I've never seen anything turn around this fast. I'm a believer."

Today, the little girl who was nearly paralyzed on her right side can use her relaxed right hand to catch a ball. She has started talking. And she can run - fast. The Levines never thought she would be able to do these things, but now she can.

Doctors are working to determine what impact the stem cell treatments are having on patients like Chloe. According to Dr. Brian Freed, Director of the University of Colorado Cord Blood Bank, "This is a bit more dramatic than other stem cell treatments. You can see the benefits."

Jenny is so thankful that a simple decision based on a mother's protective instinct ended up transforming Chloe's life. "For Chloe, life has started over again."

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