Determined Cancer Survivor Gives Birth Following Ovarian Tissue Freezing

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Kassandra, diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at 17, underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant that threatened her fertility, leading her to freeze ovarian tissue before treatment, which was successfully transplanted back nearly 25 years later. This procedure restored her fertility and resulted in the birth of her son, marking the longest duration of frozen ovarian tissue leading to a live birth and demonstrating the potential of fertility preservation for cancer survivors.

At 17, Kassandra faced a daunting cancer diagnosis that threatened not only her life but also her future fertility. Diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, she underwent aggressive treatment that included chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, both of which carried a high risk of destroying her ability to conceive. In a bid to preserve her fertility, she opted for an experimental procedure that involved the removal and freezing of ovarian tissue—a technique that at the time had yet to yield any live births.

Stored at Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic in Cambridge since the late 1990s, her ovarian tissue was carefully preserved in liquid nitrogen. After completing cancer treatment and entering remission, Kassandra moved on with her life, building a career in banking and eventually starting a family with her partner, Daniel. However, by the time they decided to try for children, Kassandra’s menstrual cycle had ceased, and medical evaluations confirmed she had entered menopause prematurely, eliminating the possibility of natural conception.

The next stage of her journey proved difficult. Despite advances since the first live birth from transplanted ovarian tissue in 2004, Kassandra faced numerous medical and regulatory obstacles. Specialists in the UK and abroad were hesitant to perform the transplantation of tissue frozen before the introduction of fertility storage regulations in 2007. Additionally, international travel restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles delayed potential treatment opportunities. Over the course of nearly a decade, Kassandra and her partner encountered repeated refusals and had to navigate complex legal and medical frameworks.

In 2023, after persistent efforts and consultations, she finally underwent the transplantation of her ovarian tissue back into her body. The procedure successfully restored her fertility, culminating in the birth of her son, Landan David Bacon, at age 44. This birth represents a global milestone as the longest duration that ovarian tissue has been frozen before leading to a successful pregnancy and delivery.

Kassandra describes her son as a “miracle,” emphasizing the determination and hope that sustained her through years of uncertainty and challenges. Her case highlights the promise of ovarian tissue freezing as a fertility preservation method, particularly for cancer patients facing treatments that jeopardize reproductive function. It also underscores the complexities involved in pioneering medical procedures and the importance of ongoing research and flexible regulatory frameworks to support patients’ long-term health and family-building goals.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.