Ovarian Tissue Transplant Led to Birth After 25 Years
A mother has given birth after using ovarian tissue that remained frozen for over two decades.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Pregnancy
Kassandra Bacon gave birth to a boy on September 9, 2026, marking a new medical record for the longest storage period of frozen ovarian tissue. The successful delivery follows a 2024 transplant procedure using tissue cryopreserved since 2001.
Why it matters
This case highlights advancements in fertility preservation for patients facing medical treatments that can cause permanent reproductive damage. It demonstrates that long-term cryopreservation can remain a viable option for family planning decades after the initial tissue harvest.
The procedure involved storing ovarian tissue for 25 years at a cost of £50,000. While 350 babies have been born globally through this method, this case establishes the record for the longest successful storage duration.
The players
Kassandra Bacon
The patient who achieved a successful pregnancy and birth using long-term cryopreserved ovarian tissue.
Addenbrooke's Hospital
The Cambridge-based facility where the patient's ovarian tissue was originally harvested and frozen in 2001.
Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic
The specialized reproductive health center that provided long-term storage for the patient's ovarian tissue.
The details
The patient had ovarian tissue harvested and frozen at age 18 before undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, which would have rendered her infertile. In May 2024, surgeons in Israel performed a graft, reintroducing the tissue to her ovaries. The tissue successfully responded to natural hormones, re-establishing a menstrual cycle and allowing for a healthy pregnancy.
Timeline
May 2001: The ovarian tissue was harvested and frozen.
May 2024: The transplant operation was performed in Israel.
December 25, 2025: The patient confirmed a positive pregnancy test.
September 9, 2026: The patient gave birth to a child.
The Home Front
This success expands the documented reach of fertility preservation technology, which has seen 350 prior live births globally. It suggests that individuals undergoing aggressive medical treatments have an increasingly viable path toward future family planning.
Families considering fertility preservation should discuss the current capabilities of cryopreservation with a reproductive endocrinologist. It is essential to verify the specific storage protocols and long-term facility stability for any tissue banking contracts.
The takeaway
This case illustrates that reproductive preservation can remain functional after a quarter-century of storage. Patients should maintain clear records of their fertility banking documentation and contact storage facilities regularly to ensure ongoing viability for their future needs.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in reproductive health at /lifestyle/family/pregnancy/.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
