Kassandra Bacon’s journey to motherhood is a testament to medical innovation and personal resilience. Diagnosed with cancer at 18, she underwent fertility preservation before treatment destroyed her natural fertility. More than two decades later, after a complex series of medical and logistical challenges, she successfully gave birth to her son, Landan David Bacon, at University College Hospital in London on September 9, 2024.
Kassandra’s story began when a doctor in Scotland connected her with consultant gynaecologist Dr Sara Matthews, a senior subspecialist in reproductive medicine with experience in ovarian tissue transplants. Dr Matthews introduced her to Professor Dror Meirow of the Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv, who agreed to perform the transplant using frozen ovarian tissue that Kassandra had preserved as a teenager.
The frozen tissue, consisting of four small slivers, was transported to Israel in late 2023. However, the timing coincided with the outbreak of conflict following Hamas’s coordinated attack in October 2023. This unforeseen event delayed the transplant procedure, as the medical centre and Kassandra navigated the risks of war and restricted air travel. After several months, a window for the surgery opened in May 2024, despite ongoing hostilities and no-fly zones over the area.
The transplantation marked a critical phase, though there were no guarantees. Approximately half of ovarian tissue transplants fail to restore fertility, a statistic Dr Matthews cautiously withheld from Kassandra to maintain her determination. After seven months, Kassandra’s menstrual cycle resumed, signaling the return of ovulation.
Attempting natural conception for six months without success, Kassandra and her partner Daniel turned to in vitro fertilization under Dr Matthews’s care. The process was emotionally and physically demanding, with initial cycles yielding no viable eggs or unsuccessful embryos. Finally, the third IVF attempt produced a single frozen embryo that resulted in a confirmed pregnancy in December 2024.
Despite the joy of pregnancy, Kassandra endured persistent anxiety until the pregnancy was firmly established beyond the first trimester. Her son, Landan, was delivered via caesarean section, a moment emotionally charged for all involved in her care.
Kassandra’s treatment cost £50,000, an expense borne privately due to lack of NHS funding for ovarian tissue transplantation—especially for tissue stored before 2007, when current regulations came into effect. Dr Matthews emphasizes the importance of extending NHS support to these women, citing the procedure as a beacon of hope for cancer survivors whose fertility is endangered by urgent chemotherapy.
Having preserved her tissue as a teenager, Kassandra’s success underscores that long-term storage of ovarian tissue remains viable and can lead to biological motherhood many years later. For Kassandra, the journey was remarkably challenging but ultimately rewarding. “He is the greatest gift,” she said of her newborn son, reflecting a profound gratitude after years of waiting and sacrifice.
The case highlights advances in reproductive medicine that offer new possibilities for young cancer survivors facing fertility loss, while drawing attention to the ongoing need for broader access to fertility restoration treatments.