American Red Cross Blood Services

My husband is what’s known as a universal donor and that make him the Holy Grail of blood donors. He is a very generous donor, however…
He and I have asked the Red Cross many times to stop calling us — he’d go in when ready to donate. Has this stopped the numerous calls — all hours, all week AND weekends? NO IT HASN’T. Red Cross you are now worse than the worst telemarketers. Ever hear of mail or e-​mail reminders?
I hope you have a social media team that checks your web reputation and advises you to stop ticking off your potential donors!!!

An easy way to give back and it only takes an hour from your day. The blood bank supplies are super low right now so try it sometime if you haven’t given blood lately.

A blood bank on Halloween. What more could you ask for?
I can’t say that giving blood is fun, but this was about as good as it gets. The American Red Cross had a mobile blood bank at the Great Hall @ UCSD, less than a black from my office.
The paperwork seems to get more complicated every time I give blood — and the computerized questionnaire doesn’t really speed things up. The slow part is they have to look up every country you’ve visited in the past year and which part of that country you’ve visited. Red Cross workers are no better at spelling the names of foreign cities than anyone else in the U.S.
Me «It’s Colombia with an O, not Columbia with a U. Yes, I was in Bogota. No, I don’t know what province it’s in.»
But once I got past that it was easy peas-​y. The tech’s were professional, friendly and helpful. This may have been the quickest I’ve filled up the plastic bag. My veins haven’t changed so i give credit to the nice lady who inserted the needle. And the usual after donation water bottle and snacks were waiting for me.
I know you’re wondering. I was too. I asked one of the techs why they don’t dress up like vampires on Halloween. «We used to, but it’s not allowed anymore. We scared one of the donors who had passed out and woke up to see vampires.» Sounds like one of those urban legends that ought to be true even when it isn’t.
And for all you wusses out there, it doesn’t hurt. Less than a flu shot. San Diego metro uses more blood than is donated. That’s just not right. Donate.

Work held another blood drive and yours truly signed up to donate. I donate as often as I can since it seems there is always a shortage. Upon checking in I was handed a pamphlet to review. I hate reading all the paperwork each time but I understand that it is necessary.
The staff that comes to our facility from the American Red Cross is great. They all understand that being stuck with a needle can be a little nerve racking so they do their best to make you feel comfortable and put your fears to ease. (I personally think the finger stick is worse then the actual blood donation.) Everyone is upbeat and very professional.
Once finished I get free snacks and juice. (Another reason why I donate, I like the free food.) I strongly urge everyone who can to donate blood. Who knows it could be your life that you’re saving someday or someone that you love. Honestly it doesn’t hurt.