Deciding on a stem cell bank for our baby’s cord blood was an important decision. Cord for Life® had everything we were looking for; a focus on quality, an easy collection process, an affordable price, and a friendly staff.
They use the best products in their process and can store better quality and a higher quantity of stem cells for our baby. Throughout the entire process, I could tell they truly cared about our family.
When I called with questions, they were prompt, kind, and explained things clearly for me. I hope we are never in a position where we need the stem cells, but knowing they are in the care of Cord for Life® eases our mind.
-Lindsay Hoekstra, July 2018
In 1996, I was expecting our first son. I had just starting hearing bits and pieces about cord blood storage. I remember specifically seeing a clip about stem cell research and cord blood storage on the “Today Show”. I knew then that I was absolutely going to find a way to make it happen that I would store my first son’s stem cells.
Luckily, on a visit to my OBGYN, I spoke to my doctor. He was quite knowledgeable about the beginning of stem cell research and could help me with making a decision and answer my questions about stem cells. My search was easy, I knew I wanted a local company that I could visit and check out its facility. I was pleasantly surprised when I found Cord for Life® in Altamonte Springs, FL. I made an appointment, toured the facility and made the arrangements to have our first child’s cord blood stored.
The whole process was simple; Cord for Life® arranged everything. I completed the paperwork and they did the rest. The day my son was born, my doctor collected the cord blood and it was packaged in the kit provided by Cord for Life® and they picked it up at the hospital.
Today, fourteen years later I have stored all five of my children’s cord blood. I love the reassurance of knowing that all five of my children have their stem cells and all five are stored together at the same facility. My children may never need it but, their stem cells are there if they do.
It’s like having a life insurance policy, we most likely will never need it, but it’s reassuring that it’s there in case we do.
I can’t say enough about how easy the process of the initial paper work was, taking the kit to the hospital, my doctor collecting the cord blood and Cord for Life® collecting the kit and finishing the rest.
The facility in which it’s stored is very nice, and I was reassured that they meet the strictest of guidelines and are regulated and accredited. I love that all five of my children’s stem cells are in the same place and are safe. It really has been the best money ever spent.
To me there is not a monetary value for that kind of reassurance and I don’t have the worry of “what if” I didn’t store the stem cells. I would have deeply regretted not storing their stem cells. The bigger picture is that scientists have not yet completed all the research and don’t know everything today what stem cells and the research of stem cells hold for the future.
I know I made a very valuable decision in the best interest of our children. Cord for Life® is a trusted partner that provides all the guidance, resources and premier technology to consumers and providers to facilitate the highest quality, private storage of cord blood to potentially use in the case of a lifesaving transplant needed by your newborn baby or family member.
-Stacey Hensley
What is a 5-compartment cord blood freezer bag? Historically, cord blood was stored in a cryo-bag with only one or two chambers. Using a one chamber bag requires all of the stored product to be used at one time. A two-chamber bag typically has 80% in one section and 20% in the other section and […]
Cord for Life® ANNOUNCES CORD BLOOD CLINICAL TRIAL Phase I Trial for the Treatment of lower back pain of the Sacroiliac Joint ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL (October 29, 2021) Cord for Life®, a full-service cord blood bank with over 25 years of experience, today announced plans to conduct a clinical trial to treat lower back pain arising from the Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) using a biological therapeutic derived from umbilical cord blood. The company has received […]
The results of a Phase I study published in Stem Cell Translational Medicine suggest that it is safe and feasible to infuse stem cells from banked umbilical cord blood into adults following an acute ischemic stroke. This research paves the way for additional studies into the efficacy of umbilical cord blood in treating stroke patients. […]
Be sure to get your Collection Kit in time to bring it with you when you go into labor.
Ms. Sardone has over 30 years of clinical laboratory experience as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Supervisor, including over 25 years with Central Florida Regional Hospital (CFRH). She was Supervisor of Quality Assurance, Safety and Education at CFRH for 11 years, held the positions of Blood Bank Supervisor for 11 years, and Hematology Supervisor for 1 year. She has participated in both sides of the inspection process, serving on the College of American Pathologists Inspection team for CAP Hospital Accreditation in Florida, and assisting in receiving accreditation by The Joint Commission (TJC), American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the inspections of the clinical laboratory. Ms. Sardone is licensed by the State of Florida as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist in Immunohematology, Hematology, Serology and Clinical Chemistry. She is a certified Clinical Laboratory Technologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). Ms. Sardone serves as Manager of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Cord For Life, Inc. overseeing all licensing and regulatory agencies to ensure that the highest quality in all aspects of cord blood collection, processing, and storage is maintained. Ms. Sardone has been with Cord For Life for over 5 years of dedicated service. Her skills and knowledge in blood banking and quality assurance have enabled her to establish, implement and maintain a superior quality system that meets and exceeds all standards and regulatory requirements for Cord For Life, Inc.
Personal Background:
Ms. Cable has 35+ years – experience in Office, Management, Human Resources, & Customer Service. As the Director of Administration and Client Services, Ms. Cable joined Cord for Life in December 2006, and has assisted in providing more efficient and effective ways to ease the enrollment process, as well as obtaining and establishing excellent customer care during the enrollment and donation period; for our Storage and Donation customers.
Personal Background:
Mr. Hudspeth has over 28 years of clinical laboratory experience as a certified Medical Technologist (ASCP), including ten years with the University of North Carolina Hospitals and 18 years with Cord for Life. Mr. Hudspeth is licensed by the State of Florida as a Clinical Laboratory Supervisor in Immunohematology, Hematology, Serology, Clinical Chemistry, Molecular Pathology and Microbiology as well as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and has completed the AABB Certification in Cellular Therapies through George Washington University.
Mr. Hudspeth is a registered Technologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and a member of the Cord Blood Association. He has also enjoyed teaching Immunology to Clinical Laboratory Science and medical school students at UNC while working in the UNCH clinical labs. Mr. Hudspeth is an Eagle Scout with 5 palms and has served numerous volunteer positions within the local Scouts BSA Troop and Pack.
Personal Background:
During the last two years of Medical School, Dr. Irrgang was in the United States Navy 1915 Ensign Program and completed a clerkship at the Naval Hospital at Charleston, South Carolina as well as a research clerkship at the Naval Aerospace Institute at Pensacola, Florida. Dr. Irrgang completed her four year Pathology residency at Baylor University Medical Center, and her internship at the University District Hospital, Rio Piedras in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Currently, Dr. Irrgang is Board Certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and licensed in the states of South Carolina, Texas, New Jersey and Florida and she is an Associate Medical Examiner at the District Nine Medical Examiners Office. Dr. Irrgang is a fellow at numerous organizations including; The College of American Pathologists, National Association of Medical Examiners, Florida Association of Medical Examiners, Seminole County Medical Society, and the Florida Medical Society.