Los Angeles Children's Hospital Freezer Fault Leads to Stem Cell Loss in Patients Treated for Cancer

A freezer at the Los Angeles Children's Hospital failed earlier this month, resulting in the loss of more than four dozen patients with cancer and stored stem cells. The hospital stated that the blood stem cells had been taken from patients and stored long term for later use if needed.

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Children's Hospital sent letters to 56 patients and their families to warn them of a freezer malfunction resulting in the loss of blood stem cells. their child.This incident does not endanger the health of the child. " a statement issued Wednesday by the hospital.

The hospital said the cause of the malfunction was a failure of the freezer temperature sensors. The hospital said the guarantees had been put in place at the time, but "were not enough".

The announcement of stem cell loss was a blow to patients and their parents who were already experiencing the difficulties of chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments. Sean Anderson Coronoa, a 13-year-old patient who has undergone stem cell therapy, is one of the patients affected by the Children's Los Angeles Hospital. His mother, Elizabeth Anderson, spoke to KABC-TV about her concerns following the freezer's failure, particularly the possibility of harvesting future stem cells through her son's blood.

"Once you finish the whole treatment process, you have damaged your body," Anderson said. "It's just how damaging chemotherapy is or radiation alone – and so it's the same thing for stem cells – it does not have that option to collect more."

The hospital said it had informed all affected families and had experts to answer questions. A telephone line at the hospital has been set up so that families can also call.