********** My Review on Cordlife & StemCord **********

babarra

Member
Dear mommies,

Like everyone else, I am not interested in cord blood until I'm going to become a mother soon. So I did some research, attend their seminars, get more details from their consultants, and read reviews from moms. Finally, I found myself more prefer to Cordlife and signed up with them around April this year.

For what I understand, the number of stem cells that can be harvested from the cord blood is important as the higher number of stem cells is available in the cord blood, the higher success rate of transplant. Cordlife has invested in the Sepax automated processing technology that can get more stem cells where this technology only offers by Cordlife in Singapore. So this is their strong point.

From StemCord, they store the cord blood samples at two laboratories. They’re the only cord blood bank in Singapore that practices split storage for the beast means of safety and security for baby’s cord blood. However, you will not know the number of stem cells from both samples. If ‘touch wood’, one of the sample has been destroyed. The only depend on another sample is really enough?

Cordlife is a little more expensive. But if you’ve signed for TMC’s first born or subsequent born card, you’ll be eligible for $500 discount for Cordlife. You’ll also get further discount on shopping voucher if someone referred you.

Anyone need referral can pm me. I think Cordlife have promotion now, both of us will each receive $100 worth of shopping vouchers. Hope that my opinion is helpful for you.
 

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Hi Barbarra,

Am also thinking of storing cord blood for my baby.
Are you saying that StemCord uses a different technology from Cordlife? And does using Sepax mean more stem cells will be harvested?

This seems like a very big difference.. hope you can let me know before I talk to their sales haha
 
Hi Jardine,

Ya, the Cordlife consultant tell me that the Sepax can recover as high as 99% of stem cells from cord blood. That mean more cells are harvested from your baby's cord blood. They are using Sepax since 6 7 years ago and Stemcord only use Sepax this year. You can know more about Sepax from their Cordlife website.

I not sure when Stemcord start using Sepax. Better check from Stemcord because when I signed up with Cordlife around April this year, Stemcord still not yet using Sepax.
 
Few months ago, on TVBS news featured a Taiwanese baby unable to survive even with cord blood. It shows that there's no scientific proof and alot such cordblood company exaggerated the benefits.
 
We chose Stemcord, not because of the company's track record, stock market listing, marketing, or AABB accreditation.

When a company is listed on the stock exchange, it becomes subject to the public shareholders' interests and profit. It is something we wished to avoid, seeing how listed companies rose and fell due not to the quality of their operations but due to economic catastrophes outside their control. Any company whose continued existence depended upon public funding is in danger of that.

About accreditation. Stemcord is FACT-NetCord (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy and NetCord) accredited instead, which is a more specialised and technical accreditation compared to the more generalised AABB. Do check out their respective websites to have an idea.


We also chose Stemcord because of the stellar educational and professional qualifications of the doctors involved:


http://www.parkwaycancercentre.com/doctors/dr-teo-cheng-peng/
Dr Teo Cheng Peng
Qualifications
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Internal Medicine), FAMS (Haematology)

Profile
Dr Teo Cheng Peng was awarded the Public Service Commission Scholarship by the Singapore Government to study Medicine at the National University of Singapore. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Medicine and Surgery in 1984 and was conferred a Masters of Medicine (Internal Medicine) three years later. Under another scholarship, Dr Teo received his advanced training at Royal Marsden Hospital, the leading Cancer Centre in the United Kingdom.

Upon returning, he started the Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant program at the National University Hospital. In 1995, he was then recruited to develop the Autologous Stem Cell Transplant program for solid tumours in the Department of Medical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital. After a successful implementation of the clinical program, he continued his career in Gleneagles Hospital, where he continued his work with stem cells in the fields of haematology and medical oncology. He continued to develop his interest in the field of stem cells and was one of the pioneers in starting an autologous stem cell bank in Singapore.




http://www.stemcord.com/about-us/our-founders/#gallery-details-3

Dr Leong See Odd
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder,
StemCord Pte Ltd
MBBS (Singapore), M.Med (Internal Medicine) MRCP (UK),
FAMS FRCP (EDIN)
Dr Leong See Odd, born in 1961, was educated in Raffles Institution. He went on to study Medicine at the National University of Singapore. He graduated with Bachelors in Medicine and Surgery in 1986.

Upon the completion of his internship and National Service, he decided to pursue postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and was accepted a resident in the Department of Medicine (Internal Medicine) in 1991. In the same year, he passed the membership exams and was admitted as a Member of the Royal College of Physicians (United Kingdom).

Continuing in the Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, he pursued advanced training in Renal Medicine. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the HMDP fellowship to train in Guy’s Hospital, a leading Nephrology Centre in the United Kingdom.

He was admitted a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine of Singapore in 1996. Dr Leong has published widely in many peer-reviewed journals and participated in many international conferences. He is presently practicing as a Consultant Nephrologist at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore, and continues to serve as a Visiting Consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. He is also the Physician-in-charge of many dialysis centers in Singapore.



Compared with Cordlife's founder:

http://investing.businessweek.com/r...2329545&previousTitle=Clearbridge Accelerator
Boon Sing Fang CIM(UK), MBA
Education

Bachelor's Degree
The University of Hull
MBA
The University of Hull

http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings?s=Medicine


Question to you:

Would you prefer a private company founded and run by 3 doctors who did exceptionally well in their PSLE, O Levels, A Levels and then at NUS medical school (very very difficult to get admitted), 2 who were PSC scholars, and are still involved in highly advanced medical research even now, and never left practising specialist medicine;

or

Would you prefer a public listed company founded by a doctor who got his medical qualification at a bottom-rated UK university, left medicine, became a business man, and now hired a non-doctor CEO to run the business?


After looking past all the glitz, marketing and presentation, I made my choice 2 years ago and am making the same choice now with my new baby on the way.
 
oh dear oh dear!!
Just thought i should share before many mummies decide and go with the wrong company. My colleague from Indonesia office sent me this link thinking that i had stored with Stemcord! LUCKY i did not store with them. They lost their clients' sample in Singapore for those who delivered in Indonesia!

I gotten this local news and feel the need to share this!!

http://news.detik.com/read/2013/08/...ura-terdakwa-dituntut-2-tahun-bui?nd771104bcj
(Translated to English by the news)

Wednesday, 21/08/2013 20:14 PM

Umbilical Cord Blood disappearance cases in Singapore , Defendant Charged 2 Years Bui Rivki - detikNews Jakarta - PT Krista Medika Yuri Commissioner Praises Listiyani and the Board of Commissioners of PT Krista Medika Dr. RR R Nani Permadhi Kolopaking , demanded two years in prison . They were prosecuted for the alleged loss of the umbilical cord belongs Julita Indrawadi Suryadi banked umbilical cord StemCord LTD , which is located in Singapore .



Public Prosecutor ( PP ) Iskandar Fahmi , the two officials demanded PT Krista who is a partner bank umbilical cord StemCord LTD Singapore branch with fraud section . Both are accused of violating Article 378 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 372 of the Criminal Code offense of fraud and embezzlement .



" The defendant legally and convincingly violated Articles 378 and 372 of the Criminal Code Juncto Article 55 of the Criminal Code , so that the defendants 1 and 2 sued defendant for two years in prison , " prosecutor demanded Fahmi in demand session that was held at the Central Jakarta District Court ( PN Central Jakarta ) , Jl Gajah Mada , Wednesday ( 21/08/2013 ) .



The demands on the Julita pleaded not satisfied . The reason is not the maximum sentence under article given . As you know, Article 378 and 372 of the Criminal Code has a maximum prison threat 4.5 years in prison . Obviously , this demand is only half of the maximum sentence .



" In addition, the defendants were often not present at the hearing therefore we consider them uncooperative and we expect maximum punished , " said Julita lawyer , Gabriel Goa after the hearing at Central Jakarta District Court .



Gabriel is still asking why the umbilical cord which is owned by Ms. Julita not be presented as evidence . Assembly to that question assumes that the umbilical cord was in Singapore . Thus it is not the authority of the jurisdiction of Indonesia .



This case began when Julita storing umbilical cord third child on August 10, 2006 . He spend their money of SGD 2 thousand and had to pay SGD 267 per year dues .



In 2010 when he was about to take the umbilical cord , titipannya objects lost somewhere and never accused of making payments or annual dues .



Is an investment bank umbilical cord future health because cord blood contains stem cells that can help repair damaged tissue . In medicine , stem cells or stem cells are used to replenish the body after cancer treatment .
 
oh dear oh dear!!
Just thought i should share before many mummies decide and go with the wrong company. My colleague from Indonesia office sent me this link thinking that i had stored with Stemcord! LUCKY i did not store with them. They lost their clients' sample in Singapore for those who delivered in Indonesia!

I gotten this local news and feel the need to share this!!

http://news.detik.com/read/2013/08/...ura-terdakwa-dituntut-2-tahun-bui?nd771104bcj
(Translated to English by the news)

Wednesday, 21/08/2013 20:14 PM

Umbilical Cord Blood disappearance cases in Singapore , Defendant Charged 2 Years Bui Rivki - detikNews Jakarta - PT Krista Medika Yuri Commissioner Praises Listiyani and the Board of Commissioners of PT Krista Medika Dr. RR R Nani Permadhi Kolopaking , demanded two years in prison . They were prosecuted for the alleged loss of the umbilical cord belongs Julita Indrawadi Suryadi banked umbilical cord StemCord LTD , which is located in Singapore .



Public Prosecutor ( PP ) Iskandar Fahmi , the two officials demanded PT Krista who is a partner bank umbilical cord StemCord LTD Singapore branch with fraud section . Both are accused of violating Article 378 of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 372 of the Criminal Code offense of fraud and embezzlement .



" The defendant legally and convincingly violated Articles 378 and 372 of the Criminal Code Juncto Article 55 of the Criminal Code , so that the defendants 1 and 2 sued defendant for two years in prison , " prosecutor demanded Fahmi in demand session that was held at the Central Jakarta District Court ( PN Central Jakarta ) , Jl Gajah Mada , Wednesday ( 21/08/2013 ) .



The demands on the Julita pleaded not satisfied . The reason is not the maximum sentence under article given . As you know, Article 378 and 372 of the Criminal Code has a maximum prison threat 4.5 years in prison . Obviously , this demand is only half of the maximum sentence .



" In addition, the defendants were often not present at the hearing therefore we consider them uncooperative and we expect maximum punished , " said Julita lawyer , Gabriel Goa after the hearing at Central Jakarta District Court .



Gabriel is still asking why the umbilical cord which is owned by Ms. Julita not be presented as evidence . Assembly to that question assumes that the umbilical cord was in Singapore . Thus it is not the authority of the jurisdiction of Indonesia .



This case began when Julita storing umbilical cord third child on August 10, 2006 . He spend their money of SGD 2 thousand and had to pay SGD 267 per year dues .



In 2010 when he was about to take the umbilical cord , titipannya objects lost somewhere and never accused of making payments or annual dues .



Is an investment bank umbilical cord future health because cord blood contains stem cells that can help repair damaged tissue . In medicine , stem cells or stem cells are used to replenish the body after cancer treatment .
Oh my goodness!!

i really pity the owner that her cord blood is lost. she couldnt have the cord blood back when she needed it yet they still accused her for not making payment?! that is ridiculous! a life could be at risk and waiting to be saved with that cord blood..... SO ANGRY! lost in singapore some more.

i feel extremely lucky to Not have stored with stemcord now.
 
In order for you to collect enough blood to bank, you will have to clamp and cut the cord immediately after birth.

“To clamp the cord immediately is equivalent to subjecting the infant to a massive hemorrhage, because almost a fourth of the fetal blood is in the placental circuit at birth.” [Windle, 1969]

Please consider the risks carefully before you decide to bank your baby's cord blood. This procedure is uneccessary unless you already have an identified member of the family who needs the stem cells.

motheroffact.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/evidence-based-medicine-immediate-cord-clamping/
 
In order for you to collect enough blood to bank, you will have to clamp and cut the cord immediately after birth.

“To clamp the cord immediately is equivalent to subjecting the infant to a massive hemorrhage, because almost a fourth of the fetal blood is in the placental circuit at birth.” [Windle, 1969]

Please consider the risks carefully before you decide to bank your baby's cord blood. This procedure is uneccessary unless you already have an identified member of the family who needs the stem cells.

motheroffact.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/evidence-based-medicine-immediate-cord-clamping/

Hi Thinkingmummy,

Thanks for sharing! I had this concern during my pregnancy as well and did extensive research through Google and also asked my O&G on this.


Most Singapore Drs or mainly most O&G around the developed countries do not practice a 2 minute delayed clamping. And so be it the parents sign up for Cord blood banking or not, the doctors will not specifically delay the clamping of the cord. And so far what are the incidents you have heard in singapore babies on suffering from Massive Hemorrhage?

New Mummies are extra vulnerable to scary information like this online, especially the 1st time mummies. I believe all doctors are well trained and educated for years before they practice as a Specialist in hospitals and clinics. They will be the best person to know what is right and what should be done. Therefore I think new mummies should consult and hear from their own doctors on this topic if they are keen to store their baby's cord blood.


I was digging my folders and happen to find two of the few UPDATED articles/clinical paper that i saved while researching during my pregnancy.

Google on:
1) Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping of term infants on maternal & neonatal outcomes.
the cochran collaboration 2009
2) Effect of delayed versus early umbilical cord clamping on neonatal outcomes & iron status at 4 months.
BMJ2001 j 343:d7157 doi10.1136/bmj.d7157

By the way, no one will know and can predict what will happen in 2 years or even 50 years time.

Cord blood is not just for your family members who already suffered from diseases.... who can guarantee their own child will be healthy even before birth and till he or she is 40 years old? People who don't believe in advanced medical treatment should not be stopping other people who do.
I believe everyone deserve a chance to be informed with correct information.

Cheers
 
Hi ladies, did anyone buy additional insurance for coverage on Cordlife defrosting procedures and use on the stem tissue
 
Hi, any mummies interested to Cordlife? I have $100 off voucher to let go with no cash necessary. Let me refer you for you to receive additional $100 voucher and for me to receive $100 voucher. Thanks.
 

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Few months ago, on TVBS news featured a Taiwanese baby unable to survive even with cord blood. It shows that there's no scientific proof and alot such cordblood company exaggerated the benefits.

Babe, a treatment offers hope or rather a way to treat the illness, from your logic its like saying if you got cancer you should live if you have treatment ... somebody survive some not so lucky. The point is at least got hope to cure with the stem cells better than your doctor telling you too bad if only you had stored the stem cells kind of words.
 

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