Zara, six, sat on a hospital bed surrounded by her family. A play therapist distracted her with toys while, through a thin IV line, a small but powerful gift flowed into her veins — her own umbilical cord blood. It was a moment 18 months in the making, and the culmination of tireless advocacy, scientific rigour, and institutional coordination. Most importantly, it was a moment of hope.

The procedure, carried out at Monash Children’s Hospital in Melbourne last month is the first of its kind in Australia: an autologous (self-donated) cord blood infusion used as therapy for cerebral palsy. Backed by Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Research Institute, the treatment was enabled through the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s Special Access Scheme, in partnership with Cell Care and Hudson Institute of Medical Research.

“This is something new in Australia,” said Professor Michael Fahey, Zara’s treating neurologist. “No one has received autologous cells in this setting before. We had to plan every detail to the minute to ensure safety and compliance.”

Cord blood therapy has been researched internationally for over a decade, showing promise in improving movement and neurodevelopment in children with cerebral palsy. But until now, Australian families have had to travel abroad to access it — often at great personal cost. CPA estimates hundreds of families have done just that, despite growing demand for local treatment options.

Dr Megan Finch-Edmondson, a senior research fellow at CPA, has been a key driver of the push for local access. “This therapy is not a cure,” she said, “but it has demonstrated safety and the potential to improve functional outcomes for some children. For families, even a small gain can mean a major difference in daily life.”

Zara’s umbilical cord blood had been stored with Cell Care at birth — a fortunate decision that, years later, enabled the treatment. It was prepared by Hudson Cell Therapies and hand-delivered to Monash Children’s Cancer Centre for the 30-minute infusion. All the while, Zara remained calm, engaged in play therapy and surrounded by care.

Her mother, Michelle, said she pushed for over a year to make this happen. “We were determined,” she said. “The procedure was simple, the staff were amazing. Even a small improvement in Zara’s day-to-day functioning would be everything.”

CPA hopes this treatment will be just the beginning. The alliance is now focused on education, policy engagement, and supporting further research to expand access. It has released fact sheets, FAQs, and a dedicated email support service for families and clinicians seeking guidance.

As Michelle embraced the researchers who helped make the treatment possible, it was clear this moment was more than just a milestone for Zara. It was the start of a broader shift — one that could change the future of cerebral palsy care in Australia.

More Information from CPA