Donated platelets which takes between two and three hours. Sheila was my nurse and she was…read moreoutstanding! Although it was her job, she seemed to be having fun, which made the process easier. Knowledgeable, too!

Wonderful experience! I was greeted super quick upon entering. Everybody was friendly and jumped…read morein conversations to make others feel at ease and appreciated. I felt like my donation was extremely appreciated and that they cared about how I was feeling while laying down donating blood. Even having snacks afterwards was fun as one of the ladies was running through the list snacks available and encouraging us to take our time and relax. I will definitely be back to this location for my next blood donation.

Friends, I stopped…read moreby the American Red Cross and made a special donation yesterday. I am an Apheresis donor, meaning they don't take the traditional whole blood, only the component(s) they need the most, and returning the rest to me. Yesterday I made a triple - my donation of platelets was enough to help three separate recipients. Apparently, this was a first for me, as I have made double donations many times before. Apheresis involves being hooked up to a machine and having the blood cycled through, filtering out the component that they need most. In addition to platelets, I have given red blood cells in the past, sometimes double-red donations. I was told of a video that was shot a couple years ago here in Detroit by a local TV station - WDIV Channel 4. It walks you through the whole process from donor to recipient(s). A little over 12 minutes long, even if you have never donated blood, it should be interesting to see how the blood makes it's way from one arm to the next, saving lives that would otherwise be lost. Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFNnQmV-kS4

If more of the public saw donation centres like Berkley's, they might be inclined to swing around…read moreevery 56 days to pump out a pint. No longer do you have to experience the life of British sailor on the high seas, swinging in a cot of nylon straps about a foot off the floor. Modern conveniences turn this blood donation into a luxury cruise. Really, you don't have to go anywhere and you get to watch traffic sail by on Woodward with a slightly lightheaded feeling. Friendly staff cater to your needs, bringing pillows and making sure you are comfortable. At the end you get to stop at the snack bar for cookies, juice and water, serenaded by soft rock and smiling seniors who volunteer and work here. Being stabbed in the arm by a long, pointy needle isn't that different from being on board the average ship, right? Like a good Princess Cruise or Carnival boat, you're expected to sprawl out and enjoy yourself in cozy reclining chair/beds. Do away with those horrible strappy contraptions at temporary donation sites, and hie yourself here for a great thirty minute stopover. Get in some reading, chat with the entertaining staff, or daydream. It's cheaper than popping down to a dock and you have far less chance of getting Norovirus. Cruise ships only wish they were this clean. The longest part of your visit will be post check-in when you run the gauntlet of reading materials and waiting on a doctor or nurse to check your hemoglobin in. Customs on a tiny island is usually worse though peak hours can be a bit of a drag. Unlike those ports of call, Berkley Blood Centre offers magazines for those who don't come armed with their own book or Kindle. Once you're through, though, the stay is a quick and efficient one. The staff have their procedures down and smoothly progress through setting you up and explaining the rules until you're pumping your fist in the air and looking forward to that prize cookie. The Blood Center sits at the corner of Catalpa and Woodward across from Trader Joe's and the easy parking. Ample parking can be found in the lot adjacent to the small complex, though expect crowds if the ever delicious Donut Cutter is open. Stop in before hand for a treat to get your blood sugar up in advance!

I live nearby and have been going to this location to donate blood for years. This location is…read moreconvenient for me and the workers are always friendly and helpful. First, you're checked in and evaluated, then it's time to roll up your sleeves. They run different promotions all the time including gift cards, t-shirts/other clothing or trinkets, and have occasional collaborations with popular characters like Snoopy, Godzilla, and Hello Kitty, etc in exchange for your donation. First come, first serve. When you donate, you're signed up for emails and texts about upcoming promos so you'll always be in the know. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives! Do good and get rewarded for it!

I have been a loyal blood donor with the Southeast Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross for…read moredecades. Starting with a local blood drive at my church, I was invited to join their Pheresis program. I became a successful participant and still look forward to helping others in this way. When I had a 'factory job' years ago, it was easy for me to set up appointments on a fairly regular basis. At that time, I was usually once a month in my visits. In the past few years, however, I have been an over-the-road trucker with a non traditional schedule, making my availability to donate unpredictable. The American Red Cross has come out with a phone app to assist in scheduling, keeping track of donations, locating local blood drives by ZIP code, etc. A major glitch occurred when I scheduled an appointment on the same day using their app. I showed up before my allotted time and waited just inside their front door for initial screening during the 2020 pandemic. I showed my appointment on the app, however, since my name didn't appear on their printed list, I was turned away. I was so sad. However, I found out that my local church was having a blood drive recently and I happily signed up. The app made it easy to schedule my appointment and everything went well. If you are looking to make a difference in people's lives, this can be a life-saving act of kindness towards those in your local community. Just roll up your sleeve and the professionals at Red Cross will do the rest. Save a life, schedule to donate today!

So, most of us are familiar with the American Red Cross either through blood drives or due to the…read moreneed of emergency relief throughout the United States during times of crisis. But did you know that the American Red Cross, more specifically the Southeastern Chapter, located on Mack Ave, just off of Woodward offers more than just emergency relief to the community and blood drives? In addition to these wonderful things, the American Red Cross of SE Michigan provides training to individuals and workplaces in CPR and AED, youth programs like babysitter training, nurse assistant training, and community outreach programs. The staff of this non-profit organization is caring and compassionate. I donate blood here regularly and the staff always is friendly and makes my experience stress free. Check out their website for class schedules, local blood drives and volunteer opportunities.

I've donated blood at this location a number of times. They only run the blood donation center on…read moreThursdays and Saturdays, which is sort of a pain. Luckily for me those both happen to be days I usually have a little extra time, so it's not too big of a deal. The facility is clean and efficient, with friendly nurses. I am always in and out of this center much faster than when I've donated blood at other locations (which probably has to do with the fact that just not as many people come to this one). There is a man named Maurice who works/volunteers here, checking folks in and manning the cookie & juice table - what a guy! SO friendly, always has a joke and an interesting story. You can tell he so genuinely enjoys the work he does there, and he will thank you all over the place for coming and donating. It is nice to see someone so truly happy to be doing something good, and it is nice to feel appreciated for doing my part as well. If you donate here once, though, as soon as enough time has passed for you to be eligible to donate again, they will BLOW UP your phone calling to get you back in. Slightly annoying, but you gotta appreciate the persistence. :)

Giving blood is something I take much pride in. So I made my appointment and arrived on time. All…read morethe staff had great personality and seemed to work really well together. Everything seemed clean and organized. I experienced no problems with my donation today. The best part was the fact that they don't poke your finger anymore to measure your iron levels! They now have another device that goes around your finger and hugs it. That's it! Rejoice!

Highly recommend donating blood here every 3 months if you can. Using the rapid pass makes for a…read morequick visit. Everyone who works here is super friendly & when I went I even got the Pac-Man socks/figurine!

I've been to the Howell site 3 times to donate platelets. I've had near perfect sticks everytime…read morewith absolutely zero issues. The location is very clean and comfortable. I encourage everyone in the area to go and either give whole blood or platelets. It's always needed.

I donate blood regularly and would encourage everyone who is able to to do so as well. I only to…read morethis location once but it was easy to get to, parking was easy, and it is an area that isn't too busy. The staff and volunteers were very friendly (I believe the staff changes but I haven't meet a rude one yet) as well. The only issue is that they don't offer many times to give blood at this location but there are many other drives in the local area that you can find via their app or on their website.

Went to donate Blood this morning at Immaculate Conception Church, Ira Twp.I was in and out in…read more20-min. The Red Cross staff was great"Aniyah" which took my blood, "painless" & Sarah was also great. Note: You can pre register to speed up process. The staff members work that district. Give Blood

I took my BLS (Basic Life Saving) CPR class for healthcare providers here since I decided to…read morere-enter the healthcare field and my old cert expired. Secured building with a shared parking lot with a strip mall and a security officer on the main desk as well as in the parking lot. I can only comment on my class and the facilities used/offered. Everything was very clean and organized and safe. I am extremely satisfied with Red Cross, the staff, and their help and knowledge. A+

I had a really good experience here. I appreciate them having some appointments at odd hours even…read morethough it might be hard on the staff; for some donors, that may be the only time they can make it work, and so it is truly appreciated. The place was clean and staff kept checking in with those of us in the waiting area, making sure we knew we weren't forgotten about. Alex was really helpful and kind when my blood pressure was too low to donate. I hope that I'm able to get that sorted and can come back to actually donate next time! Thank you!

I go here to give blood. The staff are kind and friendly. They get you in quick and are good at…read morewhat they do. They talk you through the process and make you feel comfortable. The water and snacks after never gets old. I will be back because it is a great cause.

The phone call I just received from your office. Y'all better have your testing intact before you…read moreeven contact a customer. Because what I heard over the phone scared the heck out of me. So let me tell you this. If you're testing is not rock solid. Do you think I'm ever going to donate blood to you ever again????? You better have your act together or you gonna keep losing donors!!! I haven't come in contact with anybody. And what I heard over the phone is not professional once so ever and you know it!!!!!!!!!!!! Ex healthcare worker here!!!!! I'll wait for your recommendation two weeks in the mail. Let me tell you something. I don't ever want to hear that coming from y'all again. Your test better be pure!!!! My left shoulder is broken. And the skin did not break. So all of a sudden, I'm infected now?????

As a trans person, I was nervous to donate blood as you never know what you're gonna get in the…read morenotoriously transphobic healthcare industry. But this was an amazing experience. Sara and Tara are incredible angels that used my chosen name the whole time and chatted with me while I ate snacks. I will definitely be back every 56 days to keep those iron levels in check.