Cordlife vs Stemcord (Cord Blood Banking) ? - II

Further analysis:

Main Differences	Cordlife	Stemcord
1. Accreditation	AABB (American Association of Blood Banks)	FACT-NetCord (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy and NetCord)
2. Storage no. of bags	Store in only 1 bag	Store in 2 bags (50%/50%)
3. Storage Location	Store in 1 location	Store bags in 2 different location respectively
4. Stem Cell processing techniques	Sepax Automated Stem Cell Processing System	Partially automated + manual process automated: extraction of red blood cells, white blood cells and plasma manual process: via hands in a Laminar Flow Cabinet in a sterile environment
5. Pricing*	Cordlife Pricelist 2011 has annual, 10yr, and 21 yr plan	Stemcord Pricelist 2011 has annual and 5 yr plan. extension is subjected to price changes, - in event of a price increase, it is capped at a max of 10% increase.

*Actually, after comparing the figures for a 10-year plan, there is not much differences unless there is a promotional rate during a seminar/roadshow. 

Note: Rates might differ in seminars of different period. (they might compensate you with vouchers, free gifts etc.

Questions you might ask yourself:

1. How many years are you signing up for and why?
2. Are you willing to take the risks of storing stem cells in 1 bag? then again, is there a guarantee that the doctor will only use 1 bag only and left  the other as a "spare"? (Note that once a bag is used, it cannot be "refrigerated" again.)
3. What are the chances of the security being compromised (ie is storing in 1 location acceptable for you)?
4. Are you comfortable with their processing techniques? Then again, what are the chances of the quality being compromised given the accreditation?

There are only 2 companies doing Cord Blood Banking so I must say, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses and it just depends on how you view/weigh them. Again, it is like an insurance.


Update - 19 April 2013: Singapore Cord Blood Bank vs Cordlife or Stemcord