The people here do not care that you are donating your valuable time to come save lives. They couldn't care less. Go to a local donation drive somewhere. They are often more friendly and thankful for your sacrifice and time that you are willing to give up to people in need. Twice I have gone here and the staff is completely uninterested in taking my donation. The last few times they have claimed my veins are not good enough. I am a healthy 19 year old male with fantastic popping veins, but they use this as an excuse to not do the work for my donation. Do not come here and save your time because the workers do not care. read more

Always courteous and helpful. Some of the best phlebotomists around! Been donating here for over 20 years

Donate today, people need you! It's rewarding, meaningful, and enjoyable for me to donate platelets, something that I've done for many years. The American Red Cross Summit County Chapter is the forth location in the US at which I have donated platelets. For many years I donated platelets at The Blood Connection in Greenville, SC, and then I donated at two locations in and near Seattle, Washington. My review of this Red Cross location is given based on my first donation here this past Saturday at 7:15am and in comparison to my experience at The Blood Connection and donation centers in Seattle. Much of the experience at this location is similar to the locations I have donated at. The boarding process is the same, you sit in a similar chair, and the staff use similar equipment and process to collect your platelets. And it took me about the same time to go through the whole process: under three hours. The donation process actually takes less time than the average movie. At all of the locations I've been the staff have been very nice. This location is different from the other places in several ways. This location offered me a heating pad!! When you donate platelets your body becomes cold and the other other places offered me only warm blankets to stay warm. The Red Cross offered me a heating pad for my torso, in addition to the typical blanket(s), and I was toasty warm! The Red Cross now uses both of your arms for donation. "This is because blood is drawn from one arm then the platelets are extracted using a machine, and the remaining blood components are returned to you through the other arm." I was told this aids in recovery, but I wasn't quite convinced of that. The other locations only used one arm, which made using my phone or tablet possible. If you have good veins in your forearm, like I do, then they can put an IV in your forearm to free your arm for use. Otherwise, you have to keep your arms still. If you're wondering how to keep yourself occupied during the donation time donation sites provide televisions for entertainment. Each bed has a television monitor attached to it. Cable tv on each monitor. Headphones are provided. Like Seattle, this Red Cross location feels, and looks, like what you might expect from a blood donation center. (See my picture). The Blood Connection, though, makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. The colors and decor in The Blood Connection are relaxing and blend with the environment around the building. And as if it couldn't get better, rather than sitting in a dry, sterile environment like at the Red Cross or in Seattle, the beds in which your donate are in a semi-circle formation and look out through a wall of glass at a beautiful fountain in a pool of water surrounded by lovely plants, trees, and flowers. Tips for donating platelets. 1) Drink plenty of water two days before you donate. This helps speed up donation. 2) Reading material might not be the best form of entertainment. I find it challenging to digest dense reading material during donation. 3) Tums take away the tingly feeling in your lips. Hope to see you at the Red Cross donating platelets!! read more

American Red Cross Summit County Chapter - From my chair where platelet donors sit. - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Akron, Ohio

If you are a donor do not go here. They are RIDICULOUSLY RUDE. I arrived 30 minutes early because they always asked me to before and then told me that I wasn't welcome into the building until my appointment time. I politely said yes and was told that "we have never done that before" and I have given almost two gallons of platelets at this specific place, and knew that I was correct. I have never been treated so poorly for wanting to help people. I drive an hour to this site because of one of the workers and I will NOT be coming back. read more

I am a firm believer in giving blood when I have some to spare and others might need. However, yesterday's blood drive at Johnson road church was a complete night mare. I filled out rapid pass but spent more time than usual considering the other donars in line. I was asked many of the questions on the rapid pass read out. Then I was asked to wait while someone else was tended to. When I got to table..one person couldn't find vein so I mentioned the one popping to attention on other arm. She kept working at finding vein and painfully poked me 3 times. 3rd time was a charm but it was terribly uncomfortable and I felt lightheaded. Possibly because I was scared half to death at the unorganized blood drive. They laid me flat and slapped cold rags on me and my body stopped making blood just before a pint was delivered. The man there sounded like I was a complete failure when he practically yelled that my blood was no good. The bruising from the pokes must have tainted the supply and my body kicked in to protect me and stopped blood flow. The guy not only loudly said my blood was worthless once...he repeated it. I couldn't leave fast enough. My arm is bruised and my blood can't even be used for testing. A waste of time and good blood. I will drive the distance to go to Life Share since this has never happened with them. So far...no damage except to my pride. Can't blame the church. And Red Cross can't be to blame except red cross might want to check that crew before they do this on another blood drive. read more