Canadian Blood Services

Being a first time blood donor, I was expecting to get in and out quickly. But to my surprise, the entire process took about 1 hour.
I went to the centre during one of their walk-​in hours, Wednesdays between 7:30am to 1:30pm. I met with someone at the front that checked my ID and gave me a «first time donor» sticker and a pamphlet to read about blood donation. As a first time donor, you get watched more after you donate blood. I waited about 5 minutes and spoke to other regular donors about the process. I found out from them that this process takes an hour (I think it would have been nice if the person that greeted me told me this and explained the procedure so I knew what I was getting into). Then, I went to the registration desk. The lady here took my hemoglobin by poking a little needle (like the machine people used to check their glucose level if they are diabetic). I had to have a reading of over 120 to quality to donate blood. I did, Yay! The lady explained the procedure and gave me a form to fill out. She explained that I would receive a donor card in the mail in about 6 – 8 weeks with my blood type on it and I could use this card to donate blood at their centres.
After, I went to a small kiosk to fill out the form. The form had a series of questions about my general health, sexual activity, HIV/​AIDS, traveling, and drug use. These questions are pretty invasive so please note this. It may be triggering. You have to answer honesty because the tests don’t screen for everything in the blood.
Once I answered the questions, I went to another area to meet with a nurse to answer more questions. She was very nice, but asked the questions pretty quickly. I had to ask her to repeat a couple of the questions. Once she deemed me appropriate to donate, then I went to another area to wait for a bed. At this time, you can also eat some food if you hadn’t already. There’s cookies, bits and bites, juice, water, and coffee.
The donating of the blood took about 10 minutes. They take a full pack. The nurse will tell you when the needle goes in (this is the hardest part). I felt a tingly feeling for about 2 minutes while I was donating blood, but it got better. Afterwards, as a first time donor, I had to wait 5 extra minutes on the bed to recover. Then I sat at the kitchen and ate some cookies and juice to re-​hydrate. I received my first donor pin at this time. The nice volunteer told me that you can get a pin for 5, 10, 20 etc years. Pretty cute. After the donation, I made sure I drank a lot of fluids and ate a big lunch. I felt super tired, probably because I didn’t have breakfast or lunch before I donated. My tip is to do this before!
Overall, the experience was a good one. I learned a lot about the donation process and information about blood. It’s such an important cause. One of the nurses told me that there is a mobile team that goes out into the community to get blood. Something to think about if an organization wants to organize a team blood donation day!

the people here are fast, efficient and generally wonderful.
The location itself, however, is crowded and less than nice feeling for a place where you are going to voluntarily give up a pint, or two, of blood.
I have only ever been to two locations to donate blood but this one is definitely the weaker link in terms of just general look.
I feel uneasy in any place that is going to stick an extremely large needle in me and extract things I usually need to live. And let’s just say that this no-​frills place doesn’t make me feel an easier.
however the women and gent that worked here on the day I was here were charming, ensured I had the most minimal pain possible and fed me cookies like a Greek grandmother.
I will be back in 56 days.
oh, and ps: I also got the BEST needle here– meaning that out of all the times I’ve donated this was by far the most painless.

So I came here, initially, for dinner. I heard about this new blood diet craze? Thought they could spare a bag or two… ended up donating.
This location is smaller than my usual Hillcrest Mall one but everyone was soooo super nice and friendly. My blood is rare though so i can’t promise they will love you as much as they love me: P Come later on during the day, I came at 540 and was outta there by 620ish.
They have juice and cookie and coffee and pop and it’s GRRREAT TO DONATE WHOOO!!!
They’re open later on Wednesdays I believe. And it’s right next to the CIBC at St Andrew station. xoxo