Ciara Robinson the supervisor and Jennifer Henderson the group lead there are a great group of…read morepeople that helped me out with solving an issue I had. I appreciate them so much and they deserve a raise or reward of something for their great work. Keep up the good work guys and can't thank you guys enough. Great place to go to donate plasma as well.

After waiting in a Very long line, I had to listen to the staff talk about the donors. They said…read morethey HAVE to be there, the donors don't. When I said "Wow", the young lady who was testing my blood asked me what was my problem. I arrived shortly after 4 pm today and it's still 7 people ahead of me. The staff all look like they don't want to be here. It's always your own people that treat you with as little respect as possible. I'm sure other centers are not ran this way. They need effective supervision and management.

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've given plasma here for the last 3.5 months at more than one CSL center, and this one is by far…read morethe cleanest and least busy. No, that doesn't mean that you'll always be in and out of there within an hour, but it is a very nice and safe center. For first time donors, you get $270 for your first four visits (all together) and $23-$43 for each subsequent visit depending on your body weight. Even though I was in the lowest weight bracket, I still earned an easy $60 a week of spending cash, which is on a prepaid VISA debit card. Your experience heavily depends on WHEN you go. I have found that they are busiest on Tuesdays, Sundays, and Thursdays in the mid-morning to afternoon. If you happen to donate within that time-frame, expect some waiting. The longest I have waited to donate is about 35 minutes. As a note, you cannot donate plasma ANYWHERE without being patient. Whether it's in line for the kiosk, vitals station, or donation room, you will definitely wait. The staff, like all people, have their on and off days. Most of the time they are attentive and do their jobs correctly. I have only gotten hematoma (bruises on arms) once or twice and stuck with the needle in the wrong vein maybe once (I can't blame them; my veins are very narrow). If you are patient and kind, they will reciprocate that, and don't be afraid to start a conversation with them! They won't hesitate to chat with you and will give you water/advice in a heartbeat if asked.

My total experience is one that has been the most demeaningful thing I've ever done at 57 years…read moreold. I can honestly say I was a bit drowsy goin there, so instead of lifting me up and boosting the spirit of donating, I was basically scrutinized against from these horrible people they claim to be human. Animals have better treatment. There could have been a more pleasant response other then to defer me or ban me for a year. Well I tell ya, lesson learned, and I hope the witch who treated me like this has her day of judgement, karma is coming for you.

Very grateful to have such a delightful staff and clean space to do something good for others &…read moremyself. I was screened as a new donor through Kim & she was absolutely delightful. Highly recommend!

Security guard was extremely rude Friday December 12. I was waiting in line at 6 am when he said I…read morewas standing too close to the person in front of me. I replied I was merely trying to lean on one of the posts because I have a bad back. He said, I don't want any backtalk and threatened to make me leave if he had to tell me again

This place is the worst you can go to. You should see the 5 inches dark purple bruise they gave…read moremy arm which stopped me from going for a month. These people are assholes.

I have tried to get through both #'s. (248) and 855 #'s. I sat on hold a total of 30 minutes. For…read morebeing so demanding for Plasma this is terrible! I wanted to start donating unfortunately never got through to make an appointment. Renee Arnold Guzman0818@gmail.com

I waited a little longer than usual for my vitals. There was a new girl doing them, ( at least I…read morethink she was new, haven't seen her before.) so I can't fault her for that. My phlebotomist was Rachel, she was very nice and professional. I was disconnected by Nick, whom I believe is also a floor supervisor. He was also nice and proficient. Overall, I had a good experience. In and out in under an hour and a half. Not bad for a Wednesday afternoon/evening.

I wasn't able to be compensated after two different phlebotomist had my IV in wrong and I wasn't…read morehelped in a timely matter either I left with a sore arm and 10$ apparently, not worth it I've been here too many times for something like this to occur if a person doesn't know how to stick people I suggest they just don't.

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.

Terrible way to run a business that is suppose to be considered about saving lives. My son has a…read moredisability and he went in and told him he was deferred because of his hygenine(body odor). Mind you he rode 6 miles on a bike to the center. Also, Karsten says he is the coordinator, after me asking for the office manager they sent this person up. My son is given rides to his appointments from his insurance and they waited til he got there to tell him he was deferred because of his odor. No where are the rules are hung anywhere in the facility.

this place overall I would give it a 4/10. There are barely any workers here at all . there is only…read moreone person doing vitals ,You are going to wait at least 40 mins to a hour to even get your vitals done. I just sat down in the chair and Ive been waiting to get hooked up for about 20 mins as of right now. I came for the first two donations bonus and I will not be returning!!

Very disappointing, very under staff.... I donate and still haven't received my payment... Can't…read moreget anyone on the phone to handle the situation. I shouldn't have to double back just to receive my money

understaffed and lackadaisical staff with management that couldn't motivate coke head to roll a 20…read moreup. I've been here for over 2 hours and i still haven't stuck. nobody has said anything about the wait or WTF is going on. if i wasn't just without work for 3 weeks and got my car fixed i wouldn't be here. you'd have have to double the money. i could've made over 3X the money door dashing for this amount of time. my plasma better save someone's life cos this is some bullshit and not worth my time for much longer. ps the bathrooms are a nightmare and look like you get hep b just from looking at the toilet. I've also got a flat tire in the parking lot cos the clientele here are trashy AF for the most part. i can't stand coming here, but I'm not driving almost an hour to go back to Biolife in Flint. they're heads and shoulders better than this place. messed up when Flint is better at something than you.