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Stemlife or Cryo Cord?

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just wondering which company would you go for? i am still deciding on which company to choose. any mommies here signed up with any 1 of the companies before. mind to share the advantages and disadvantages for each company? from wat i heard, all the 4 companies are going to increase their prices on 01/04/09. thanks in advance :smile:

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I can't tell u what advantages or disadvantages...cause I pick cyro cord at the 1st place ! never think to ask for stem life...

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how much is the service for each of them???

As I said, I not ask stemlife so no comparison between them...but I think maybe almost the same ???

For Cryo cord, I not really remember the price cause it depends on the package u choose ie. whether u choose to use vial or plastic bag to keep the stemcell...and whether u want to pay one go or installment....different pricing ! for me, I choose to use vial & installment payment, one year around RM200+ & pay till when my baby age is 21 years old then see whether want to continue...

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Stemlife's package is as follows:

Initial fee : RM2500 (can be paid in 12 installment basis at a small fee)

Annual fee : RM250p.a. for 20 years OR upfront payment RM250 x 20 with 30% discount.

After 20 years, it's up to our kid whether wanna continue or not and the annual fee will be different by then. This package includes transplant medical cost coverage of RM100k (applicable to siblings and parents) and RM100k compensation in the event the stem cell is spoilt. Also, in the event either parent pass away, the RM250 annual fee will be waived till the kid reach age of 21.

There will be RM500 discount for those who sign up before 31/3.

I should be signing up this package as I would prefer annual payment for storage fee instead of lump sum. If I am not mistaken, Cryocell's package is lump sum payment (initial fee + 20 years annual fee).

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Stemlife's package is as follows:

Initial fee : RM2500 (can be paid in 12 installment basis at a small fee)

Annual fee : RM250p.a. for 20 years OR upfront payment RM250 x 20 with 30% discount.

After 20 years, it's up to our kid whether wanna continue or not and the annual fee will be different by then. This package includes transplant medical cost coverage of RM100k (applicable to siblings and parents) and RM100k compensation in the event the stem cell is spoilt. Also, in the event either parent pass away, the RM250 annual fee will be waived till the kid reach age of 21.

There will be RM500 discount for those who sign up before 31/3.

I should be signing up this package as I would prefer annual payment for storage fee instead of lump sum. If I am not mistaken, Cryocell's package is lump sum payment (initial fee + 20 years annual fee).

Before everyone jump in to join these private cord blood banks and think that they have done the best for their babies, please consider these few facts at below before throwing in your hard earned cash:

American College of O&G do not encourage private cord blood bank

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/96108.php

The Royal College of O&G of United Kingdom also discourage private cord blood banking

http://www.rcog.org.uk/news/rcog-advice-um...ing-and-storage

http://www.rcog.org.uk/news/medical-expert...d-blood-banking

Private cord blood banking is not the 100% insurance aginst many of the cancerous disease quoted:

Read http://medicine.com.my/wp/?p=2207

This is written by a senior hematologist in this coutry and published before in Star years ago.

A MUST READ at least before you swipe your credit card.

Read this http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6044106.stm

Private cord blood banking most likely is a business entity for profit, you are unlikely to use it.

The likelihood of you to use you insurance benefit is greater if you were to save the money and buy the medical insurance for your baby.

Many of the cure quoted by the private cord blood banking sale persons are using cord blood from PUBLIC cord blood bank.

If you enrolled into the public cord blood bank, the chance is higher for you to get a match in case you really need it.

Also read this one: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/141449.php

''The respondents reported that of the thousands of stem cell transplants they had performed, only 50 involved privately banked cord blood. Forty one of those cases were "allogeneic" transplants, in which blood from one individual was used to treat another member of the family.(unlikely your baby will ever use it) And in 36 of those cases, families already knew of a member who was a candidate for a transplant prior to banking the cord blood.(even more rare if you have no significant family history) The researchers identified only four or five cases in which cord blood that had been privately banked "just in case" it would someday be needed was actually used to treat a sibling of the donor. They also identified only nine cases in which children whose cord blood had been banked subsequently underwent transplants using their own stem cells (known as autologous transplantation), despite the fact that this is the primary use for which private cord blood banks market their services.''

In conclusion, medical experts encourage PUBLIC cord blood bank and discourage private cord blood bank.

If you really have the money, it is ok and not wrong to enroll into private cord blood bank.

But if you don't, you shouldn't feel guilty about it. There is absolutely nothing wrong by not enroll into the private cord blood bank.

Your money spend most likely will enrich those companies. (what happen to your cord blood cells if the company bungkus later?)

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To be honest, I'm one of those who have no intention of signing up. For starters, people here in Europe don't really go for the whole stem cell banking thing. They know about it but it's not a popular concept because of the issues, commercialisation and well, the money spent on it.

To me, stem cell banking is not a guarantee that your kid will be problem-free...and I don't know - I don't feel comfortable with the idea of investing so much into something for the sake of "what-if". :/

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me n my husband are agree wit meiteoh, we never sign up also...

some more, the stemcell is not guarantee that the sibling and the parents are suitable for it.. and i think its not so popular in malaysia too.. talk abt the medical cost, my opinion is, why dun go for a more realiable insurance agency instead of go to private stemcell bank... like what nckeat said, if the 'bank' bankrupt then how??? will they refund all the money to us?? what will they do with the stemcell ??

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I was doing lots of research before my baby was born and was against the idea of signing up with Stemlife due to the many stories I've heard. One of the sources I found was

http://stemlie.wordpress.com/ten-reasons-w...ot-use-stemlie/

But my dad persuaded me into it. Because there's no harm in "buying insurance" for the little one and if doing so can save him if anything were to happen (touch wood), the price is worth paying. Besides, I paid only RM14XX for the 1st year (can't remember the exact amount) by using some Cosway coupons given by the stemlife promoter.

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I was doing lots of research before my baby was born and was against the idea of signing up with Stemlife due to the many stories I've heard. One of the sources I found was

http://stemlie.wordpress.com/ten-reasons-w...ot-use-stemlie/

But my dad persuaded me into it. Because there's no harm in "buying insurance" for the little one and if doing so can save him if anything were to happen (touch wood), the price is worth paying. Besides, I paid only RM14XX for the 1st year (can't remember the exact amount) by using some Cosway coupons given by the stemlife promoter.

I think that looks more like hate propaganda rather than a reliable info source.

Anyway, no harm using it but don't ever feel guilty for those who don't enroll. The benefit is very much exaggerated.

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nckeat,

Do we have public cord bank in Msia? I know there is in Spore but not sure about Msia. How can we store our BB's stemcell with public cord bank?

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nckeat,

Do we have public cord bank in Msia? I know there is in Spore but not sure about Msia. How can we store our BB's stemcell with public cord bank?

Yes, but can only be done if you deliver at General Hospital Kuala Lumpur as the blood is collected by the medical officer of Blood Bank. But pre arrangement need to be done (which mean you have to declare your intention with at least one follow up at general hospital). You can also donate your amnion membrane if you deliver there (amnion is useful in cases like severe burn).

You can call the blood bank or O&G GHKL for further info.

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I was doing lots of research before my baby was born and was against the idea of signing up with Stemlife due to the many stories I've heard. One of the sources I found was

http://stemlie.wordpress.com/ten-reasons-w...ot-use-stemlie/

But my dad persuaded me into it. Because there's no harm in "buying insurance" for the little one and if doing so can save him if anything were to happen (touch wood), the price is worth paying. Besides, I paid only RM14XX for the 1st year (can't remember the exact amount) by using some Cosway coupons given by the stemlife promoter.

I think that looks more like hate propaganda rather than a reliable info source.

Anyway, no harm using it but don't ever feel guilty for those who don't enroll. The benefit is very much exaggerated.

nckeat,

You're right...it's biased. Besides, the source is outdated. Though there might be some truth in it. Not saying that Cryo cord of other companies may be better but this whole idea is kind of ambiguous.

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I was doing lots of research before my baby was born and was against the idea of signing up with Stemlife due to the many stories I've heard. One of the sources I found was

http://stemlie.wordpress.com/ten-reasons-w...ot-use-stemlie/

But my dad persuaded me into it. Because there's no harm in "buying insurance" for the little one and if doing so can save him if anything were to happen (touch wood), the price is worth paying. Besides, I paid only RM14XX for the 1st year (can't remember the exact amount) by using some Cosway coupons given by the stemlife promoter.

I think that looks more like hate propaganda rather than a reliable info source.

Anyway, no harm using it but don't ever feel guilty for those who don't enroll. The benefit is very much exaggerated.

nckeat,

You're right...it's biased. Besides, the source is outdated. Though there might be some truth in it. Not saying that Cryo cord of other companies may be better but this whole idea is kind of ambiguous.

Read those links that I quoted in my earlier post, that's give you a balance idea from the experts rather from the non medical sale person who are more concern about thier commission.

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Hi All

My EDD is on June'09 and i had sign up the Cryo Cord package last saturday.

There is few package .

Manual Processing & store in bag : RM 1700 ( Optional store in Vials additional RM 350 )

AXP Processing & store in bag : RM 2400 ( Optional store in Vials additional RM 350 )

Yearly renewal fees : RM 250

Or

1 time pay for 20 years renewal at RM 2500 ( discount 50% )

All the add up payment can be make by installment up to 18 months with 0 interest.

But , I heard the price is going to increase as below from 01/04/09, i am not sure it's true or not.

Manual Processing & store in bag : RM 2500 ( Optional store in Vials additional RM 350 )

AXP Processing & store in bag : RM 3200 ( Optional store in Vials additional RM 350 )

Yearly renewal fees : RM 250

Or

1 time pay for 20 years renewal at RM 3900

All the add up payment can be make by installment up to 18 months with 0 interest.

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This is another view by the expert:

Public cord blood bank should be encouraged because it saves lives. Private cord blood banking is mostly likely a hype and their main aim is money and profit.

header_cord_blood.gif
There is universal interest in developing a permanent source of cells which would be capable of generating any cell type and which would avoid the problem of transplant rejection. These human stem cells have the unlimited capacity to divide and the potential ability to develop into most of the specialised cells or tissues of the human body.

Human stem cells can give rise to different types of cells such as muscle cells, nerve cells, heart cells and blood cells. They could be potentially useful in generating replacement cells and tissues to treat many conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, leukaemia, stroke and heart attack.

There are two major sources of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Cord blood is a relatively rich source of haemopoietic stem cells (HSC). About 100ml can reconstitute the haemopoietic system in small patients, usually children. The first successful related cord blood transplant was undertaken 16 years ago. Since then, over 3,000 transplants have been done worldwide.

In the past, the media has been highlighting such successes. It brings hope to many affected families. The best known staunch supporter of embryonic stem cell research Christopher Reeves (a.k.a Superman) did not live long enough to witness any major breakthroughs in stem cell cures for his spinal paralysis.

It is important that we do not lose perspective of the limitations of this new technology and thus send wrong messages and create false hopes to the general public. Private cord blood banks has hyped on anecdotes and isolated examples of success in stem cell therapy. The issue is clouded further by the sales pitching and often non-evidence based medicine claims of private cord banks. Undoubtedly, parents would be vulnerable to “emotional marketing” at the time of the birth of their child. Professor Nick Fisk, Chairman of the Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Scientific Advisory Committee said “We are concerned that commercial companies are targeting pregnant women with such emotive literature when the scientific evidence is not yet there to back up their claims”.

There are no accurate estimates on the likelihood of children requiring their own stored cord blood. The best guess of this ever happening range from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 200,000. There is therefore only a tiny and remote chance of children ever requiring to utilize their own stored cells.

Scientific indications for collection and banking of cord blood are far and few in between. In families where there is a known genetic disease that can be treated by HSC transplantation, cord blood collection and storage are recommended for siblings born into these families. Cord blood collection is also recommended in specific settings, for e.g.

1. A sibling who is suffering from leukemia, just in case he relapses and may require cord blood transplantation

2. A sibling in whom cord blood transplant is indicated but has no match related donor available.

The storing of cord blood privately by private cord banks is based on the premise that the sample is stored specifically for use within the family concerned and more specifically the child's own future use (autologous transplant).

Autologous transplantation itself may be problematic because the use of one’s own stem cells may not cure the underlying pathology. In the case of leukaemia and other congenital disorders, e.g. Thalassaemia and Fanconi’s Anaemia, transplanting one’s own stem cells with the defective genetic and immune structure would only result in returning the disease to oneself.

The 80-100ml of umbilical cord blood collected at birth may not be adequate when the baby grows into an adolescent or adult. The volume of cells is insufficient if he should ever require it later in life. Thus, the concept of a 'biological insurance' which is much hyped by the private cord banks is therefore actuarially unsound given the very low estimates on the likelihood of use, or the need of using one's own cord blood for transplantation. The emotional marketing is however burgeoning the bank balances of private cord banks.

The government has now come out with some guidelines to address the issue of cord blood collection and cord blood banking for future transplantation. The National Blood Bank has been collecting and banking cord blood as part of its non-profitable National Cord Blood Bank. The National Cord Blood Bank would be available to doctors to search the public registry for possible unrelated but matched samples as an alternative source for stem cell transplantation.

In the final analysis, public cord blood banking should be expanded for the benefit of the wider population. Collection of altruistic donations of cord blood and directed donations for families at high risk should be encouraged. The National Cord Blood Bank was set up to achieve these objectives at no cost. Rather than just to keep the cord blood banked for one's own use, it should be made available to others who may need the cord blood in the allogenic (genetically different) setting.

Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd. Nordin, FRCP

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Thanks for the article! It's very informative and insightful!

Also many O&G doctors accept money from the private cord blood bank for helping them to collect the cord blood which I see as an unethical practice.

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nckeat,

We wanted to donate cord blood when I gave birth but when we call up to enquire, GHKL is unwilling send anyone to travel to PJ to collect it. We feel it's a pity cos IF our National Cord Blood Bank wanna create more awareness & encourage people to donate, they should have a dedicated team that's willing to travel & collect.

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nckeat,

We wanted to donate cord blood when I gave birth but when we call up to enquire, GHKL is unwilling send anyone to travel to PJ to collect it. We feel it's a pity cos IF our National Cord Blood Bank wanna create more awareness & encourage people to donate, they should have a dedicated team that's willing to travel & collect.

Unfortunately I think there is limited manpower (I think less than 10) in the public cord blood bank unit because public cord blood bank is only a small part of the service in the natinonal blood bank. They don't have the budget to provide nation wide service. Anyway the 12000+ annual deliveries in GHKL had provide them enough patients for them.

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nckeat,

Since we are in Malaysia where public cord blood bank is so lousy, I will have no choice but to keep my BB's cord blood with the private bank. I know the chances of using is minimal (i pray hard for that), but it's just an insurance. I know by heart that no one can guarantee the private bank will still be around when I need the cord blood. No one can guarantee that the cord blood can be used on siblings or even my BB herself. I see it as an option - and hope that when I need to exercise my option, it will be in the money. For those who easily afford the few thousands, I would say it worths spending. However, if you are on tight budget, then forget about it.

If I am in Spore or more modern countries like Aust, UK, etc, I will definitely keep the cord blood with the public bank.

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nckeat,

Since we are in Malaysia where public cord blood bank is so lousy, I will have no choice but to keep my BB's cord blood with the private bank. I know the chances of using is minimal (i pray hard for that), but it's just an insurance. I know by heart that no one can guarantee the private bank will still be around when I need the cord blood. No one can guarantee that the cord blood can be used on siblings or even my BB herself. I see it as an option - and hope that when I need to exercise my option, it will be in the money. For those who easily afford the few thousands, I would say it worth spending. However, if you are on tight budget, then forget about it.

If I am in Spore or more modern countries like Aust, UK, etc, I will definitely keep the cord blood with the public bank.

How do you know the public cord blood bank is lousy? Allegation must be supported by facts. More stem cells transfusions had been done through public cord blood bank in public health facilities rather than from the private cord blood bank. This is not only true in Malaysia but all over the world. It's just like blood bank, where do you think all the blood for blood transfusion done in private hospitals come from? ALL are from the national blood bank which is a public facility.

I have no preference in private cord blood bank. But I can tell you all these private cord blood banks are not monitored and authorised by any health authority. As for the public cord blood bank, they got the support from the gov and you can be assured that the public bank will not 'bankrupt'. The public cord blood bank is run by the haematologist and they meet the international standard.

However, in this issue, my stand is NEUTRAL. Private cord blood bank is more likely a hype as you are extremely unlikely to use it. It is also not wrong to enroll in any of these private cord blood bank as this is your right. For those who never enroll in these private banks, if the need arise in the future, you still can ask help from the public cord blood bank as they will not reject your request but definitely not the case of private blood banks.

For the public cord blood bank, their primary intention is to build up the cord blood bank to offer every one in this country an option to save life..

For the private cord blood bank, their primary intention is PROFIT and the cord blood is solely belong to the client.

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nckeat,

I agreed with your that private cord bank is profit driven - same goes to private hospital. No doubt about it. Same goes to Insurance Co - do we stop buying insurance too? Of course Insurance Co is regulated - but only limited to Life insurance. General insurance is not regulated by BNM.

My dad had some bad experience with our national blood bank. He used to be constant donor of blood and 2-3 years ago, national blood bank called up and told us my dad was infected with hep-C / hep carrier (cant remember liao) and blamed him for donating blood despite he is SICK. This was new to us as my dad always go for periodic health check. They made my dad travel to national blood bank a few rounds to do testings of which few times the officer just FFK. Guess what, my dad was clean from any hep-c. So, what's the real reason for them to accuse my dad?? We suspect they have either contaminated my dad's blood with hep-c virus OR they actually wrongly labeled the blood!!!!! They refused to let us know the truth. Since then my dad stopped donating blood.

Since I am going to give birth at SJMC, I doubt the public cord blood bank will ever send their officer there to pick up the cord blood - even I wanna donate it - see Janicelly's post. Even I am generous enough to get Stemlife to do the collection and send the public cord blood bank on my own account for storage/donation - again I doubt they will take it. Does the govt leave us any choice?

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