Online Cord Blood Training
As more expectant parents selflessly donate their cord blood to help others, medical professionals have the unique opportunity to educate and assist patients with the process. Cord blood collections are potentially lifesaving and require little additional time in the delivery room.
At Cord For Life®, we partner with hospitals and medical professionals to ensure they have all the resources and tools needed – cord blood training and educational material, as well as our accreditation and license information.
Cord blood collectors play a critical role in determining the transplant potential of each unit. The quantity of stem cells contained in cord blood is unpredictable and current protocols rely on the total volume collected as the first key to obtaining a transfusable stem cell unit.
1. Volume
Your patient and baby’s safety is always the top priority and should never be comprised for the cord blood collection. When your patient’s safety is assured, every effort is then made to collect the largest volume of cord cells possible. Every drop is another drop towards the success of the collection and another potential life saved.
2. Product Labelling
The second key to a successful cord blood collection is product labeling. As with all regulated healthcare disciplines, failure to properly identify the product and/or maternal sample tubes will result in an unusable cord blood unit.
Properly completed labeling prevents the loss of the unit and the related potential to save a life. Detailed protocols and training will ensure that all the information is identical to the information on the patient’s hospital identification band.
On behalf of the Cord For Life® team and the patients in need of a transplant, we wish to thank you for your time and support of this vital program.
Sara H. Irrgang, MD
Medical Director
Cord For Life®
Why Cord For Life®?
Deborah A. Sardone
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:
- Sardone is a graduate of The City University of New York in Medical Laboratory Technology.
- Sardone is licensed in Florida as a Clinical Medical Technologist and she is nationally recognized as ASCP Certified.
- Sardone enjoys photography and dancing.
Kelli Cable
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:
- Mrs. Cable is married and has two boys.
- In 1994, Ms. Cable moved to Orlando from Boulder, Colorado.
- Has a passion for travel and enjoys watching NFL games, cheering on her favorite team, the Denver Broncos.
Donald Hudspeth
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:
- Mr. Hudspeth received his Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- “Eagle Scout with Five Palms”
- Avid golfer with a 14 handicap.
Sara Irrgang, M.D
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.
Personal Background:
- Dr. Irrgang received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of South Carolina.
- Attended the Medical College of South Carolina at Charleston where she earned a Medical Doctorate Degree.
- Dr. Irrgang has a passion for breeding show horses
- Dr. Irrgang is a 4-H leader in Lake County, Florida