Donated blood today at the Coast Guard blood drive in downtown Norfolk. It was so easy and so necessary. The Red Cross staff was super friendly (Team Lead Spencer & volunteer Cindy) and respectful of my time. I was thanked for my donation several times by Red Cross staff and volunteers. No fuss, no pain, no reason not to sign up again for the next drive! Please consider donating today. read more

American Red Cross - Holiday gift for donating blood today - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I had a great blood donation experience here today! The Blood Donor app said they started walk-ins at 6:30am, but when I arrived at about 7am I learned that whole blood donations (as opposed to platelet) don't actually start until 8am. Regardless, the ladies working happily took me back to start the process. It was easy from start to finish. I've donated numerous times before at different venues and this was probably the most painless all around. Mrs. J was so sweet to talk to and she always made sure I was comfortable. The whole process was efficient, the facility was very clean, and the personalities of the staff made my morning. I'll be back in 8 weeks! read more

American Red Cross - Blood donation to start the week! - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Every once in a while when I have time I like to donate blood or platelets to the Redcross. Redcross calls me all the time to set an appointment and since I was on vacation this week I confirmed an appointment for Friday morn at 7am to donate platelets . I arrived 5 minutes before my appt and there was a gentleman in the lobby waiting also. I Signed the clipboard and the woman at the desk let me know they will be with me shortly. moments later a woman took me to the room and verified who I was and she pricked my finger to test my iron level. I saved myself some time by completing the questionaire at home and presenting my rapid pass. All the staff members I came across were very nice. I was directed to the chair I'd be on and i made myself comfortable. The process for donating platelets takes about 2.5 hours but luckily there is a TV for each chair with Netflix for us to choose a movie to watch. So the blood is drawn out of one arm and goes into some machine that separates the platelets from the blood and then they return the rest of the blood into your other arm. Pretty cool how it works. After my 2.5 hours was up I was bandaged up and I was guided to the table to rest up and eat some snacks and have some drinks. The whole experience was pleasant and I'll definitely be back again to donate. read more

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I try to donate blood every time Red Cross goes to Norfolk General Hospital. My last appointment the lady that was drawing my blood had incredibly long painted nails and was extremely unprofessional. She was bad mouthing another employee and it was very uncomfortable for those of us in the room. I saw a flier today that they were in the building again and accepting walk-ins so I arrived to donate blood and give them another chance. The young girl had me sign in and sit down. A couple minutes go by and the man started yelling at the young girl for accepting walk-ins. The girl did not say anything at all and after a couple minutes I got up and left. I have yet to have a good experience and probably won't give blood anymore. read more

Today, I had a class at the Norfolk, VA location. I left my home thirty minutes before class. The location here is a 15 drive. There was pouring rain and a horrible accident. I arrived at 859 am and was told to walk around the building. I did as told and rang the bell at 903. A worker came out and said sorry I mommy watch says 905 and 905 is the cut off we won't let you in. 3 other people were in the same position. One was a pregnant woman who sat down and began crying saying it was so hard getting here due to accident. I said but it watch says 903. Your emails don't inform us of this policy and I went to the front and was told to walk around. How can you do this to people. I had to find child care and gas is so expensive. She said too bad. Disgusting Red Cross. Do better. I'll never use you again. I have used this place ten years. I'll never donate money or blood or anything again. read more

My apartment caught on fire. I called for assistance the operator took down my basic information and told me I would hear from someone within 24 hours. Well, almost a week went by and I didn't hear from anyone so I called back. The operator and workers acted so shocked that no one reached out and I was promised to hear back from someone asap. When the individual called me back, she explained that she was calling from the American Red Cross and off top said to me that I was declined for assistance. I was told to call church and food banks for assistance. I don't know if someone got in trouble for not getting in contact with me within the 24 hours, my intentions wasn't for all that. All I wanted and needed was assistance. I wish I could give no stars at all. read more

Heard that O positive blood was down to a 2-supply. Made an appt to donate, and went to site at scheduled time. Waited 15 min. for donation bus to show. Finally called, and after 5 min. on hold, was told 'bus has cracked windshield, thus NO BUS TODAY'. (The woman on the phone was very polite and apoligetic.) Not sure exactly which office I was speaking with. read more