Georgia Regents Stem Cell Trial Gives Family Hope

AUGUSTA, Ga. --

There's been a lot of talk about stem cell research over the years. At GRU, there's a research trial using banked stem cells from umbilical cords saved at birth.

One family, who banked their son's cord blood when he was born, hopes this investment in science pays off.

Andrew Kijek is just one out of many who will be participating in a stem cell trial at Georgia regents University.

"He's super smart, super fun and adventurous," said Maureen Kijek about her son, Andrew.

If you ask 11-year old Andrew Kijek's mom, she'll tell you her son is a pretty cool kid. To use her words, she says he's just trapped in a body that doesn't work.

"Things that he tries to do like grab at things or feed himself. His brain isn't telling his muscles the right thing. He doesn't have control over anything functional," said Kijek. Andrew was diagnosed with Cerebral palsy following a difficult child birth. Fast forward and his family has travelled from Michigan to, the Children's Hospital of Georgia.

Andrew is being infused with his own umbilical cord blood stem cells as part of a trial to help improve his condition.

"I decided to store his core blood when I was pregnant and I found out through the cord blood registry that they were doing this trial in Georgia for the stem cell infusion," said Kijek.

Maureen says she stored the cells, not knowing what the future would hold, but banking it as insurance.

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Georgia Regents Stem Cell Trial Gives Family Hope