How Ilya’s Own Cord Blood Transformed His Heart Surgery and Gave Him a Bright Future
In 2009, Svitlana Shevchenko was preparing for the birth of her first child in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, when doctors diagnosed her unborn baby, Ilya, with severe congenital heart defects. Despite recommendations to terminate the pregnancy, Svitlana was determined to give her baby a chance. Seeking additional assessments and a second opinion, she went to Kyiv, where doctors confirmed the diagnosis: ventricular septal defect and transposition of the great vessels.
However, hope emerged when doctors at the Center of Children’s Cardiology and Cardiosurgery in Kyiv offered a groundbreaking solution: using Ilya’s own umbilical cord blood for his open-heart surgery shortly after birth.
On September 25, 2009, Ilya was born and immediately taken for open-heart surgery. His own cord blood, rich in beneficial natural nutrients and stem cells, was used instead of donor blood. This ensured compatibility and reduced the strain on his immune system. This innovative approach, developed by cardiac surgeon Illya Yemets and HEMAFUND founder Yaroslav Isakov, minimised immune system strain and promoted faster recovery.
Today, Ilya is a healthy, active 10-year-old. He enjoys riding his bicycle and skateboard, and he loves football, although medical advice is that he should not aim to take any sport to a professional level when he’s older. The Shevchenko family returns annually to Kyiv for check-ups, where Ilya’s positive health continues to reassure them.
Ilya’s story highlights the life-saving potential of cord blood therapy and the importance of innovative medical advancements in treating congenital heart defects.
“Now I don’t even want to remember the pain and fear we had to endure.” Svitlana admits – “I only advise everyone I know to store umbilical cord blood to take care of the protection of children.”
