Thirty years ago, a bone marrow transplant was a patient’s best hope for recovery. But as cord blood processing and storage technology have advanced, things have changed.
According to the FDA and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, umbilical cord blood stem cells are now better than bone marrow. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are now widely used in clinical research and are a leading source of stem cells for cellular therapy. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood have some important benefits that important to consider when thinking about private cord blood banking for your growing family for several reasons:
Your child’s privately banked cord blood is ready to use immediately, whereas it can take several months to find a matching bone marrow donor. A potentially lifesaving treatment is one phone call away. At Cord for Life®, we have released over 2,200 units for treatments, clinical trials, and research. Our team has seen the power of stem cells and believes in their future potential.
In addition, treating your child with their own stem cells, rather than an unrelated bone marrow donor’s, reduces the risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases. There is also evidence that cord blood stem cells may not require as exact of a match as bone marrow stem cells.
Using stem cells from umbilical cord blood lowers the risk for Graft-Versus-Host Disease, a serious and sometimes fatal complication where the donor’s immune cells attack the patient’s healthy tissue. Since the antigens in cord blood are less mature, they are less likely to see the patient’s cells as foreign and attack them.
Check out the table below for a helpful guide to the differences to consider when comparing private cord blood banking to relying on finding a suitable bone marrow donor.
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. […]
Reserve your Cord Blood Collection Kit in time to bring it with you when you go into labor. Give your newborn every advantage with cord blood banking!
By donating your newborn’s cord blood, you are joining a nationwide effort to create a genetically diverse inventory of stem cells for transplant to a child.
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.