Ali Soltani – A Story of Strength, Hope, and Healing with Cord Blood
Ali Soltani is one of the children who showed signs of immune deficiency at just four months old, when an abscess formed beneath his ear. According to his mother, he was hospitalized in the infectious disease unit at the Children’s Medical Center, where doctors confirmed that he had a primary immunodeficiency disorder.
Ali’s Story – In His Mother’s Words:
From the age of four months, even a mild cold would turn into a serious infection for Ali. He was hospitalized several times due to recurring infections. This condition turned out to be genetic — his cousin, born seven months earlier, had the same disorder.
Ali is our first child. He was born on April 28, 2014. Despite our constant care and protection, even the slightest illness would severely affect him, requiring hospitalization. Eventually, the doctors determined that a stem cell transplant was the only potential cure. Unfortunately, no suitable bone marrow donor was found for Ali.
Sometimes You Don’t Expect It — But Things Get Better
While we were still grappling with Ali’s condition, I discovered I was pregnant again. After consulting with doctors, we were told that our unborn child — a girl — had a 50% chance of carrying the same disorder. We seriously considered terminating the pregnancy. But Ali’s doctor suggested that there was also a 50% chance the baby would be healthy — and, in that case, her cord blood could potentially be used to treat Ali.
That spark of hope changed everything. We decided to continue the pregnancy.
Our daughter Aylin was born on August 16, 2018 — completely healthy. After testing her cord blood, doctors confirmed it was a perfect match for her brother.
After thorough examinations and testing, Ali was admitted to the hospital on September 25, 2019, and the cord blood transplant from his sister Aylin was successfully performed on October 13, 2019, at the Children’s Medical Center in Tehran.
For a while after the transplant, Ali continued to take medication, but he no longer needs it. Follow-up checkups have shown everything to be normal. Today, Ali is even more intelligent than many children his age and is eager and motivated in his studies.
“I Want to Write My Name”
Ali started first grade this year. While the COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges for many, it actually made things a bit easier for Ali — he studied at home alongside his classmates, without worrying about being absent from school. He's begun life with incredible hope and strength. Nothing has dimmed his smile. He speaks with excitement about learning and dreams of the day he can write his own name.
When we asked Ali about school, he said:
“Studying is great. I want to go to school, but schools are closed right now.”
He added:
“I really want to write ‘Ali’ — in Persian and English. I love Persian so much.”
When we asked about the hospital, he simply said:
“The hospital was hard, but I’m strong. I told the other kids there: Be strong. It doesn’t hurt. Eat well. Don’t be afraid.”
Ali dreams of becoming a police officer when he grows up — someone who catches bad guys.
This sweet little boy adds with a smile:
“I want my sister to become a teacher. I love her so much…”