The needle poked through my vein. Blood was running down my arm, I was nauseous and dizzy, I…read morethought I was going to faint. They couldn't give me back my platelets. I was so tired and drained all afternoon. I would give them no stars.

So happy switching here after going to Biolife for so long. I'm usually in an out in a little over…read morean hour when I used to have to wait like 2.5 hours as a regular donor at my old center. I like the pay too cuz instead of dropping u down to the lowest level or taking away ur frequency bonus just cuz you missed one donation, here it depends on how many times you came in the last month. Plus they actually have tvs here

I am so glad we have a Memorial Blood Center Downtown. For a gal like myself who works DT and…read moredoesn't drive, this is super convenient. Like most difficult things in life (going to the dentist, working out, getting a haircut), people are more prone to doing them if they are convenient. Marquette and 7th is centrally located, and accessible by skyway, too! The techs are friendly and professional, and always do a great job. Their new receptionist is really nice, though I miss their old one. Stop in to do a good deed, eat a tasty cookie, and grab some Taco Bell on your way back to the office. Also, have Jen draw your blood - she's the best!

Convenient location and friendly and staff. Everything is clean and the beds are super comfortable…read morewhich is much different than donating in some random place at other blood donation centers. I preferred them because of that and they are more local. Jen did a great job sticking me and if you are taking longer than 15 minutes, they will stop the donation. I was there for less than an hour total for my first donation.

Absolutely love this place!! Top dollar and super clean!! Stellar employees!! Above and beyond…read moreperfect

Worst plasma donation center in Minnesota. Was lured in by them telling me I would receive $100…read morebecause I hadn't donated there since November but if have to do the new donor physical and stuff. Friday I did physical questionnaire, videos and when I did the blood draw my hemocrit was off so I had to come back yesterday(Sunday) came in early to noon appointment and I was last to leave after 4 pm. I was not giving the $100 as promised but only $40. I talked to management and he was unwilling to make things right. 5 hours, actually 8 hours later I get $40

If you can avoid this place by all means do. As I have dinted plasma the past 3 times and each and…read moreevery time they messed me up big time! Bruising horrible to the point of where I can not donate because the bruises were so bad they would not take me! This last time was off the charts! I look like a battered woman!

Note: All positive reviews left for Octapharma are several years old. Not sure why they are listed…read morefirst. This review is current. I was a repeat donor for many years but gave up last year because of the excruciatingly long wait time. I went back today as a new donor. Things have not changed as far as wait time and have actually gotten worse. I wasted an entire afternoon and ended up being deferred for a month for mentioning my asthma inhaler. This inhaler has always been on my med list but suddenly today it's an issue. I have well controlled asthma and have never been deferred for occasionally using an inhaler. This was interpreted as an asthma attack that never happened. To make matters worse, the three hours I spent going through their rigmarole BS, watching videos and answering 60 ridiculous and redundant questions do not even count for my next visit. I wasted my precious time being deferred for an unbelievable reason. It makes me sick because I took a day off to put myself through this hell for nothing. I do like some of the staff members and the place is reasonably clean. The location is convenient for me and parking is easy. Beyond that, I don't think it is worth it to deal with this company anymore. I am beyond angry and I wish I would have just kept quiet. Maybe I will try again in another year. If you are considering donating, all I can tell you is to reserve about 4 to 5 hours for your first visit and be very careful how you answer questions because the most innocent answer can end up ruining your day.

This place is clean, bright, has friendly Red Cross staff, free parking, and is attached to, and…read morenext door to, a coffee shop. After multiple blood donations, and several platelet donations, given here, I can share that this is a good place to donate. Like many Red Cross donation centers, the staff and volunteers change regularly, but the donor experience has always been good, friendly, safe, and helpful. They always say "thank you for donating." The staff here are also nice if you can't donate. I've had low numbers on Iron and could not give blood. Despite my disappointment in my low iron that day, the staff was very nice, positive and they let me have a cookie any way.

Gave blood here and had a wonderful experience from greeting to check in, from donating to…read morerecovery, the staff and facility were excellent. Upon entering, I was immediately offered a snack and drink. I was about 20 minutes early for my appointment and waited less than 3 minutes to be brought into the check in process. Check in was smooth, especially if you fill in the form online before getting to your appointment. My assistant through the process was great. Very customer focused. Making sure I was feeling ok. Making sure she accommodated my needs with regard to needle sticks and sight of blood. Huge array of snacks and drinks for your recovery. I actually stayed there a bit longer in one of their lounge chairs and finished my book. Great experience!!

Came here to donate blood yesterday and it was a really smooth experience…read more The place is clean and organized. There's a cute resting area with snacks, beverages, magazines, a fireplace, and comfortable chairs where you chill and eat cookies for 15 minutes after you donate. They also have a huge library of dvds for the people donating platelets which takes 2-3.5 hours. A regular blood donation takes about 30 minutes all-in. The nurses were really nice and will chat with you to keep you distracted from the massive needle in your arm, and my nurse brought me a couple of cranberry juices to keep me from getting lightheaded. She also did a great job with the needle, it was honestly pretty much painless! There's a free parking lot, same lot as the Festival Foods store, and they accept walk-ins but you can also make appointments online! You can donate blood every 8 weeks; it's a nice thing to do on a day off to 1. Be a good person and 2. Eat some free Oreos... so get at it!

Wow! I've had lots of experiences donating blood (one pint short of two gallons at this point), and…read morethis is one of the best I've had. Parking was available right up front. I signed into the building and was checked in within 5 minutes. I did have an appointment and did the Rapidpass to make my process faster, but there was no one there, so it was even easier. Kris, my phlebotomist, was super friendly and considerate, and I got to look out the window at the great view on the river, which included the Stone Arch Bridge and the Guthrie. Apparently there are bald eagles roaming the river right now, so that's cool. Afterwards, they offer a bevy of snacks and juices to help get your energy back up before taking on the world after doing something to save it.

Of the handful of Red Crosses I've been to, this one is easily the nicest. It's three floors and…read morethe donor room rivals places who's names end in 'Blood Center.' They're not too fond of walk-ins it turns out.

This place sucks Royal ! I was deferred indefinitely from here because I have a PCA! Now if you…read moreknow anything at all there is no reason for them to not accept my doctor s letter stating that my pCA has no regard for me donating! They still refused to let me donate!! This place sucks. I would recommend that you go anywhere else but here

I accidentally hit no on the questionnaire when it should have been yes, I immediately knew what I…read moredid the second I did it but there was no way to go back to correct it. I was then told I needed to wait to see the one nurse on staff. There were a number of people ahead of me waiting to get physicals, etc. so I had to wait my turn for this quick fix. Absolutely ridiculous! This needs to change so other personnel can correct issues like this?!

I went to donate my 70th or so pint of blood at Memorial Blood Centers - Eden Prairie location…read more The appointment is easy to make and I was nicely greeted at the door. Target used to bring them onsite in downtown Minneapolis, but since COVID, I have had to go to branch locations. I have been to the Bloomington location, but I usually go to Eden Prairie. Fill out the questionnaire before you go to save about 5-10 minutes. You get there for a pre-screening where they test your iron, blood pressure and temp. Then they take you to the back and it is about 10 minutes for me after sitting in the lounge donation chair and I finish. The team members drawing blood are always very nice and after donating, they have a nice waiting room where they would like you to sit and have some snacks after donating to make sure you don't faint or anything. I usually have a couple Diet Cokes and a bag or two of white cheddar popcorn. They have lots of cookies and plenty of beverages on hand as well. An easy way to donate your time for life giving resources.

I have donated here three times and have recommended it to others. It is clean (though the chairs…read moreare starting to look a little grim), the snacks are good, and everything is spaced out well so that I feel pretty safe mid-pandemic. But what I really like are the people. The phlebotomists are knowledgeable and have been willing to answer all my questions and let me talk while the donation is going on (which helps calm my nerves b/c I don't like needles). And the front desk people are incredibly warm and friendly. They always make me feel welcome, and they are attentive after the donation.