‘Once-in-a-lifetime’ chance to collect cells

Debra Higgins was shocked on returning to Ireland after living in Philadelphia to find a medical service commonly available in the US was difficult to source in the Republic.

Awaiting the birth of her first child, Matthew, in 2007, Debra wished to store her baby’s stem cells as a precautionary measure should he develop any serious illness in the future.

As a qualified molecular biologist, she was more aware than most people that stem cells harvested from umbilical cord blood could act as a potential additional treatment. However, she had to attend the privately run Mount Carmel Hospital in south Dublin for Matthew’s birth in order to fulfil her wish.