Cord Blood Storage

[new mum to be]

Hi all,

I am a soon to be mum and am looking into private cord blood cell storage is there anyone out there with info, experience on this?

It is a bit costly and I would like to have some feedback from people other than the storage companies.

New mum to be.:)

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

I privately banked. PM with your questions and I will be happy to share any information.

[Vespera]

We are planning on doing ours with Cell Sense see www.cellsense.com.au (http://www.cellsense.com.au)

They have payment plans which allow you to pay - all at once, a deposit and then the rest when you get your parenting payment, 3 month payment plan and 6 month payment plan.

If you contact them they will send out HEAPS of information for you to decide.

[bingo]

We looked at all three companies. The best thing we did was a little table to compare all the different factors and in the end we went with cryosite. The reason we went with them was that if the collection wasn't successful then we got our money back, where I think from memory the others took a considerable %. Also Cryosite were the only company TGA approved which means they have a lot of quality systems in place to ensure your babies sample is properly stored. Cryosite was more costly but in the outcome the collection wasn't successful it was the cheapest. A lot of collections aren't successful for many reasons so you need to be prepared for that. In saying that ours was successful. Good luck with your decision :D .

[Adria]

I'm just wondering if anybody wants to give a rough costing figure. Is there also yearly fees to pay?

[Vespera]

Its about $3000 for 18 years. No other fees.

At the end of 18 years the blood becomes your childs property and they can decide if they want to pay some more money to keep it in storage.

[~Emmylou~]

Does anyone know if the blood is available for use by siblings (if compatable) or only for the child from which it's collected??
(sorry to hijack thread btw :o )

[Minke]

We were told that it could be, of course it depends on whether your children are a match.

[sleeplessnights]

I also stored my son's cord blood 15months ago with Cryosite. I sent away for all the information and made the decision that Cryosite provided the best service and were also licensed by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration. They were really professional and helpful through the process and the whole collection went off without a hitch. Hopefully we won't need to use it but I like to know it is there if we do.:fingerscrossed:

[bingo]

I finally found my comparison table of the three companies we looked at. Cryosite, Biocell and Cellsence. Keep in mind that these figures are from early 2005.
Total Cost (collection and storage for 18 years):
Cryosite $4000
Biocell $3145
Cellsense $2895
Refund in the event of failure to collect:
(this is difficult as Biocell and Cellsense have 4 reasons you can't collect. Cellsense are straightforward)
Cryosite $3700 (for any reason)
Biocell inability to collect $1495, insufficient volume $1795, storage failure $2045, process failure $2495
Cellsense(in same order) $495, $745, $1195, $1895
Courier Charge
Cellsense $included in price
Biocell $P.O.A
Cellsense $80-250 depending upon city or country

As you can see we found that Cryosite had the best refund policy. And as collection is hit or miss that helped us make our decision. Also, Cryosite was the only GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) approved company and TGA approved company which assured us that our valuable product would be cared for.
Hope this info helps someone out there as we found it all confusing when we were looking.

[sleeplessnights]

I think you will find that now that all 3 companies charge the same amount. It is just under $3000.:)

[AVR]

We looked at all three companies. The best thing we did was a little table to compare all the different factors and in the end we went with cryosite.

Us too!:thumbsup:

[Saf]

Has anyone recently banked their bubs cord blood privately. Just trying to decide which company to go with so I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks:)

[BreithCuidiu]

Has anyone recently banked their bubs cord blood privately. Just trying to decide which company to go with so I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks:)

We did. I think if I had my time over I'd go with Cryosite because they seem to be bigger and stronger as a company. The others seem a bit shaky.

[Saf]

Thanks BreithCuidiu that helps it's :confused:confusing as they all seem pretty similar on the surface!

[BreithCuidiu]

They all look the same, but two had to merge because they were going under... Cryosite has been around for longer so I'd be less worried about losing my sample.

[Bebe Zahara]

Has anyone tried StemLife? My sister went with Cryosite and they missed the collection last year, so we really want to try someone more stable. Does anyone know if Biocell or Cellsense have a TGA license as i can't find it on their website.

[Saf]

I think Biocell and Cellsense have now merged, you'll probably have to call them to find out.

[Tatiana28]

We banked ours with cellsense. The process was certainly not seamless.
We had bub in the morning on a public holiday and had to call the company 3 times to ask them of the courier was coming to get the sample. Eventually the courier arrived that NIGHT to get it.
We signed up at the baby expo and they said sign up and you get a pamper pack etc... I was going to sign up anyway but thought that was a nice bonus.
Well after reminding them twice, I still haven't got it.

Have to say though, the lady I spoke to on the phone a few times was very patient in answering all my questions.

We had a successful storage. Hopefull it's never needed but it's a bit of insurance.:thumbsup:

[florence]

I think Biocell and Cellsense have now merged, you'll probably have to call them to find out.

Yeah, they have.
We banked our first bubs blood with biocell and our second bub's blood with cellsense (same company).
It cost just under 3K the first time and just over 3K this time. We got the cheapest price as we paid in full.
It's well worth it IMO.

[monica01]

Hello members i am Monica 6 months pregnant we have decided to go blood cord banking after discussing it with our doctor ... Got to heard about some cryobanks for blood cord banking. does anyone out der can shed some info on it ...


thanks a lot

[Angel baby]

We in the end went with Cryosite after months of research and took all the factors into account, including Australian representative, TGA approval and all that. Although the price was higher than other, it didn't effect our decision.
However everything went wrong after we paid the deposit, $700. Below incidences occurred chronologically as addressed
1, apparently, within a day, there is no refund and cooling period after you paid for it
1.1 They took the money immediately, although I found out my pregnancy was a bit early to make such commitment, I contacted them within the same day but they replied the day after, and indicated the payment has been proceeded, the kit has been dispatched, hence there is no refund.
1.2 Anyway since we were settled our mind with Cryosite, we made the peace with it

2, There is minimum blood needed to be collected for the function,
2.1 However they told us in the contract that the under size blood can be still stored due to Cryosite high tech and ability, but they don't tell you, it is pointless to store undersize blood
2.2 On the due day, the collector came and took the blood, and clearly stated to my husband that she had a good harvest although the amount / size was not clearly indicate. Doesn't the collector should know the correct amount to collect, why she lied to us when the blood was undersized?
2.3 The blood was in the kit and was collected 1 day after

3, Few days later we received a letter that indicated the blood was tested and undersized. Also attached with invoice with 1 month payment period.
3.1 Then we waited for the test result, however it never came
3.2 Then we paid the balance when the month was only couple days left
3.3 Two days later after we paid the balance, we received a letter addressed the blood was contaminated with 2 vital virus, however the blood is stored after the testing
3.4 We investigate and followed up further with email a day later, however their response from 2days, than a week, contact people kept changing. they called us, than we called or returned the call and again, days later they return the call. back and forth for more than a week, we couldn't still get to talk to a person for the issue. we didn't expect the service dropped this much after we paid. they responded within a day before I paid, but after I paid, (lets say) started from 2days (that was because I followed up and push for the answers)
3.5 After the investigation, the blood was not useable. However the point was two days after they collected the blood when they sent out the mail of indicating the blood was undersized, they had the test result but they didn't tell us the result in the mail. they waited until we paid the balance which was almost a month later.

So almost 3 months later, we realized and learned
1, The collector and company would say anything to give you a fake sense of security in order to secure you as the client (coz there are no much information in the market and pple are not aware of the service yet) to start the payment process and the final balance payment
2, we paid over $3000 for a completed nothing,
3, we expected, the Australian rep, the service and all the positive news on the media, would take place to resolve the problem, but when the problem did occur, we couldn't see those above taken any effect, completely usuless
4, Due to the current market, there is no competition for them, so media is onesided, or I should say they had media favouring them.

My husband and I are young professionals, and so we understand problems could occur at any sales and purchase activities. But what we are looking for is the post-sales attitude and service. In this case, we are very disappointed to say that this company is providing nothing but disappointment and unethical medical process

In the end, we got only the storage fee refunded (which is less than 1/3) and discarded blood.

[Angel baby]

My husband and I in the end went with Cryosite after months of researching and took all the factors into account, including Australian representative, TGA approval and all that. Although the price was higher than other, it didn't effect our decision.
However everything went wrong after we paid the deposit, $700. Below incidences occurred chronologically as addressed
1, apparently, within a day, there is no refund and cooling period after you paid for it
1.1 They took the money immediately, although I found out my pregnancy was a bit early to make such commitment, I contacted them within the same day but they replied the day after, and indicated the payment has been proceeded, the kit has been dispatched, hence there is no refund.
1.2 Anyway since we were settled our mind with Cryosite, we made the peace with it

2, There is minimum blood needed to be collected for the function,
2.1 However they told us in the contract that the under size blood can be still stored due to Cryosite high tech and ability, but they don't tell us, it is pointless to store undersize blood
2.2 On the due day, the collector came and took the blood, and clearly stated to my husband that she had a good harvest although the amount / size was not clearly indicate. Doesn't the collector should know the correct amount to collect, why she lied to us when the blood was undersized?
2.3 The blood was in the kit and was collected 1 day later

3, Few days later we received a letter that indicated the blood was tested and undersized. Also attached with invoice with 1 month payment period.
3.1 Then we waited for the test result, however it never came
3.2 Then we paid the balance when the month was only couple days left
3.3 Two days later after we paid the balance, we received a letter addressed the blood was contaminated with 2 vital virus, however the blood is stored after the testing
3.4 We investigate and followed up further with email a day later, however their response from 2days, than a week, contact people kept changing. they called us, than we called or returned the call and again, days later they return the call. back and forth for more than a week, we couldn't still get to talk to a person for the issue. we didn't expect the service dropped this much after we paid. they responded within a day before I paid, but after I paid, (lets say) started from 2days (that was because I followed up and push for the answers)
3.5 After the investigation, the blood was not useable. However the point was two days after they collected the blood when they sent out the mail of indicating the blood was undersized, they had the test result of 2 vital virus but they didn't tell us the result in the mail. they waited until we paid the balance which was almost a month later.

So almost 3 months later, we realized and learned
1, The collector and company would say anything to give you a fake sense of security in order to secure you as the client (coz there are no much information in the market and people are not aware of the service yet) to start the payment process and the final balance payment
2, we paid over $3000 for a completed nothing,
3, we expected, the Australian rep, the service and all the positive news on the media, would take place to resolve the problem, but when the problem did occur, we couldn't see those above taken any effect, completely usuless
4, Due to the current market, there is no competition for them, so media is onesided, or I should say they had media favouring them.

My husband and I are young professionals, and so we understand problems could occur at any sales and purchase activities. But what we are looking for is the post-sales attitude and service. In this case, we are very disappointed to say that this company is providing nothing but disappointment and unethical medical process

In the end, we got only the storage fee refunded (which is less than 1/3) and discarded blood.