I have donated blood several times and this was my worst experience. It took FIVE people to be able to draw my blood!!!! Somehow my veins in both arms were poor. I don't know anything about the training received by the phlebotomist however by the next day I had a big black and blue which they warned me about. I love donating blood this last time, I won't be donating again. Sad,because I know how great the need is. read more

My daughter and I both had terrible experiences at the Red Cross donation center on South Robert Street in St. Paul, years apart. The one and only time I went there was horrible. The tech missed my vein with the needle that was to return fluid that was being separated during a 2-hr apheresis donation. She left for break immediately after inserting both needles. One arm started to ache and burn. For several minutes there was literally no Red Cross staff member in the room where several of us were hooked up! I finally saw and got the attention of a different Red Cross employee but he had no idea how to help or how the apheresis system worked. At first, he told me to wait until the phlebotomist got back from break. That's an unacceptable staffing policy and an unacceptable risk to volunteer donors. That was yrs ago but my adult daughter had a horrible experience this week at the same center and she was simply donating regular whole blood which should be straight-forward and routine. She has done so before without issues. The technician tapped into an artery instead of a vein which is a huge no-no and can create serious complications for some people. That's why veins are used for donations and draws. Although there were several indicators that he had breached an artery -- the needle insertion hurt more than normal, which she told him (he just moved the tube); the blood flow was shockingly fast -- bag full in just a few minutes; and the blood is usually redder/brighter -- which he never checked or didn't know to check. Experienced phlebotomists can sometimes also tell from the extra effort needed to breach an arterial wall which is thicker than a venous wall and/or from the pulsing in arteries. But even a new tech should know the first three signs! This technician had no idea until my daughter's blood literally spurted like a mini fountain when he removed the needle. The situation was handled very poorly. Staff never explained to her why her blood was shooting on the table, floor, and people's shoes. No one discussed what happened, or why, with her. But (!) other staff including a supervisor quickly assured the embarrassed tech that *he* shouldn't feel bad because "it happens all the time." Well, only if you call 1 in ~7,500 (data from NIH) 'all the time'. For perspective, in the U.K., an arterial puncture is handled differently: Donors are informed about possible complications *and* receive a document to give to an attending doctor if they do end up in the E.R. Some donors are referred to a doctor at the time an arterial puncture is recognized. My daughter figured out the next day -- only due to her specific education and training -- that the distressing events occurred because of an arterial puncture, but no one at the Red Cross clinic in St. Paul explained anything. (They did tell her to watch out for light-headedness but not why.) I understand and lament how poorly phlebotomists are paid and treated in the U.S. It's a bloody shame. The Red Cross needs to revamp its entire structure and environment so more skilled people are hired and retained and so that covering one's ass is not prioritized over donors' well-being. ARC is not a completely altruistic org. Their CEO earns almost $1,000,000/yr. A dozen or more Red Cross execs earn more than $400,000. The Red Cross charges hospitals and clinics about $200 for the pint of blood you donate (for the work they do to collect & test it). IMO, they have an obligation to be a better organization for its employees and donors. If they can't or won't do it, get out of the business. (60% of the blood supply in the U.S. is provided by orgs other than ARC.) Please do donate blood. I've had dozens of positive experiences at blood drives. I do recommend avoiding the Red Cross clinic on South Robert Street in St. Paul. Odds are you'll have a better experience elsewhere. read more

This branch is significantly nicer than the Minneapolis one. Its spacious, has a nice canteen, and a pleasant staff. read more

American Red Cross - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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I've donated whole blood at this location a handful of times and it's almost always been a positive experience. Most of the people I've encountered who are staff and volunteers are really friendly and do whatever they can to make you feel comfortable. This ARC location is a little tricky to find the first time you go - just make sure you go into the parking lot with entrances on Plato Boulevard and not Robert Street. The blood donation center is not in the same building as the admin building, and I got a little lost the first time I went. This location is not without its flaws. The check-in process can be confusing if you're new to the location or have never donated blood. Sometimes, you're greeted by someone as you walk in and they'll tell you what to do; other times you do a self-check-in with a laptop sitting at the reception desk. Appointments generally seem to start on time, though I've had to wait 10-15 minutes after the start of my scheduled appointment for someone to acknowledge me. There is also a wide range of experience-level when it comes to phlebotomists. Usually, I encounter phlebotomists who could probably find a vein with their eyes closed. On another occasion, I think I encountered someone on their first day. read more

A scheduled blood donation visit on a weekday afternoon after not donating for several years. I arrived a bit early anticipating completing any questionnaires. Young woman behind desk not helpful to someone unfamiliar with their "app". I don't "do" apps. I'm an email or text message kinda girl. Once I completed my forms and returned them to the woman at the desk, I waited. And waited while others who arrived after me were summoned to go in back. Finally I was summoned and brought back by a woman. Once she did her thing, she advised she would leave me momentarily to complete the final questions, which took, *maybe* a couple minutes. I opened the door per her instructions and then waited for her return. And I waited. And I waited longer still, maybe 10-15 minutes. I was able to catch someone else's attention to let them know I'd finished with questions and I was waiting to donate. Strike 1. I was escorted into the donation area and shown a bed. The woman who was going to "tap" my arm invited me to get on bed and asked me which arm I would offer. Before I sat on that vinyl covered bed, I asked for it to be cleaned off because it clearly had mud marks on it from a previous person's shoes and that's where my upper torso and head were going to be resting. Strike 2. She attended to her prep process and thus, my arm's vein was tapped and the flow began. However, after a few minutes, it was evident the needle was misplaced because of the slow flow. She re-positioned the needle and got a slightly better flow. Then she left. Strike 3. Another woman stepped in to monitor me a few minutes later and saw how slow the flow was going. And she re-positioned the needle yet again. Now, finally, the flow was quick, as it should have been in the beginning. Having donated blood several times at this site over many years this experience was the worst. In total, I was at this facility for 2.5 hours after scheduling an appointment. Unacceptable. There was even a Strike 4! There are no longer Fig Newtons being offered in the Refreshments area! read more

I've donated via Apheresis a bunch of times over the last few years. Always professional. Never had any discomfort- the staff are very experienced with opening a vein. I can tell when someone is new because they have to dig a little. Not here- great job team ARC. read more

American Red Cross - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

My husband already didn't want to donate because he hates wearing masks. I talked him into it because his blood can go to babies & not everyone's can. But the lady at the desk was so rude that we both decided not to donate. My husband came a little early & right when he was there, he was asked to leave. My husband asked if she could ask if he could donate early & she wouldn't ask. She sounded very rude & just kept repeating herself. This was on 8/3 at 4:45pm. We don't know her name. But I've chosen not to reschedule. There's never any appointments in the app. On the phone it's taken 30 minutes 3 times. Last month they said I had an appointment, but then I found out they never scheduled it. I was going to cancel anyhow since I went to Yellow Stone. The month before it got canceled because of the riots. I would reschedule if it wasn't so hard. It just doesn't seam like they need our blood when they are rude when we try & donate & it's hard to schedule an appointment. If the lady today had said I'm sorry because of Covid we can't have anyone early & we can't have extra people in the building than my husband wouldn't of been so upset. But I really don't see why she couldn't of asked if he could go early. She could of told him to wait outside & call him if he can come early. They lost 2 donations today. One for babies. I'm not going to rebook at another location unless the app works which it hasn't in the past. I doubt I can convenience him to go now because he didn't feel appreciated. read more

Everything was basically "fine" at my donation this morning. But the woman who drew my blood was kind of disappointing. I was just in such a good mood. It was a beautiful morning. I was feeling good about what I was doing. But then I had to sit and listen to her bitch to her coworkers the whole time. She was complaining about the volunteers who work at the door and canteen. (Volunteers!) I tried to make conversation with her a few times, but she preferred to talk (loudly) to her coworker across the room. She was complaining about how she can't find an area rug big enough to fit her giant room. Apparently no one makes one big enough her her gigantic house. Must be rough. read more