Hamad Alyaarbi’s life is returning to normal after a stem cell transplant from his younger brother cured his blood disorder. Courtesy: CryoSave Arabia
Hamad Alyaarbi’s life is returning to normal after a stem cell transplant from his younger brother cured his blood disorder. Courtesy: CryoSave Arabia

Emirati toddler saves older brother's life thanks to transplant



One year on from a life-saving transplant from his younger brother and Emirati youngster Hamad Alyaarbi’s life is returning to normal.

The eight-year-old was diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia, an inherited blood disorder, that left him crippled with fatigue and struggling to play with his friends.

It is one of the most common inherited conditions of its kind in the UAE, but Hamad was offered hope by his younger brother Abdullah, 2, thanks to the stem cells he donated.

In early 2017, his parents decided to extract cord blood stem cells from Abdullah to try and save his older brother’s life.

Cells were stored at CryoSave Arabia, the only facility in the UAE registered with the American Association of Blood Banks.

A transplant eventually took place on June 23, 2017, and almost a year on and doctors have said Hamad is now completely cured and living a happy disease free life.

“We are delighted to have been a part of Hamad and Abdullah’s transplant procedure, and we are overjoyed that it was a complete success,” said Mai Ibrahim, chief executive at CryoSave Arabia.

“We are trusted with families’ valuable stem cells so it is absolutely essential that we ensure each sample is processed, stored and released successfully from our Dubai facility.”

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Read more:

A national database of organ donors cannot come soon enough

Abu Dhabi hospital carries out country's first full heart transplant

Organ donation status to be listed on Emirates ID

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The transplant was carried out in the United States at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

The UAE is reported to have one of the highest national frequencies of Sickle Cell Anemia in the world.

It is a life-limiting illness, causing the sufferer terrible pain and eventually leads to organ damage and stroke.

Hamad’s family, from Abu Dhabi, wanted to improve the quality of life for their son and requested the release of Abdullah’s cord blood from CryoSave Arabia, as heamopoietic stem cell transplant is the only known cure for the illness.

Cord blood is currently used to treat a variety of diseases.

The stem cells extracted have several advantages, some of which are known and some are yet to be discovered.

Cord blood banking is an important, non-invasive method that allows families to be prepared for the unexpected.

“It’s incredibly important for expectant mothers who have a child with Sickle Cell Anemia to be informed about the ability to save their baby’s cord blood for potential transplant,” said Dr Maryam Matar founder of the UAE Genetic Disease Association (GDA).

“I always encourage families that are expecting newborns to utilise cord blood banking.

“A stem cell transplant has the ability to cure the disease, and all mothers should know this.”

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

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PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

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Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

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Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

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Shower or bath after being outside.

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Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

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List of UAE medal winners

Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)

Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)

Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)