Hunter has been a fighter since the day he was born. Born early at 28 weeks with many complications, including bilateral brain bleeds, a full-body infection, as well as being unable to breathe on his own. He spent his first 10 days at Northside Hospital, where he was then transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) as his condition was dire and he needed more than Northside could provide. There were many times things did not look good for Hunter, but he continued to fight through every adversity he faced and has turned into such a happy 5-year-old.
Since the day we brought him home, at almost 3 months old, he has been in therapy multiple times a week. He works with a speech/feeding therapist that helped get him off of a feeding tube and is working on helping him communicate, a vision therapist that has helped him to be able to use the vision that he has, a physical therapist, and an occupational therapist to help him move his body as functionally as he is able. Hunter has had to undergo multiple surgeries throughout his short life. Multiple eye surgeries, VP shunt placement (brain surgery) with multiple revisions, and most recently bilateral hip surgery with muscle release. Hunter was diagnosed with hydrocephalus during his NICU stay and developed seizures which are controlled with daily medication. Hunter was also diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy due to the traumatic brain injuries he sustained at birth. Because of all of these challenges, Hunter currently does not walk, crawl, sit up independently, talk, feed himself, or do most task on his own. Through all of this, he remains the light in everyone’s life around him, and he continues to work hard on these daily living tasks with his wonderful therapist and teachers.
Recently, we became aware of a research study at Duke University that uses cord blood to help treat children with CP that could influence the formation of new neural connections. These studies show cord blood appears to improve brain connectivity and motor function in children with cerebral palsy. Here is an article that talks about some of the research.
https://www.cordblood.com/blog/pediatrics-publication-cord-blood-cerebral-palsy?mtag=NEWS&utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=062025-client-newsletter&mkt_tok=NTg5LVhGSC01NTcAAAGa5QS2gl_N5VpUjRyyTj8CCAs1KrsOF3n6STqpet__P66ILdn6kArvm1u5NZhqa5QOmUYe3HRLBGO5W5fs3-WSgIBDF8ap01LjgYS9V4jw3YxqGb4
The research study is still ongoing and therefore not covered by insurance. To be able to get this treatment for Hunter, the payment of $15,000 is expected upfront before appointments can be made. We have strived to do anything and everything we can to help Hunter grow and develop to be able to give him the best life possible. We believe that this cord blood treatment could open new doors for Hunter and are willing to consider any beneficial treatment. We appreciate any help you are willing to give to help us not have as severe of a financial burden.