My first visit to donating plasma was a very long process, as it is for every new donor. It will…read moretake about 2hrs, so prepare for that. During the 1st visit, one will have to watch an 18m video on what plasma is, what the process is like when donating, before, during, and after, different techniques you can use so that your blood won't clot the line, how the blood will be returned back to the body, etc. you will be taken into a room where, you scan your fingerprint to serve as your identity each time you visit. In this room, you will also tell the tech all locations of tattoos and body piercings. SN: if you have had a tattoo, a touch up on a tattoo, or body piercing within 4months, you will be deferred! You will then sit in the waiting area until you are called to answer 63 short questions about your health and medication use. Once that is done, you head over to the first line so that vitals can be taken. Once you pass, you will then go in another line labeled DONOR FLOOR. You'll wait until someone yells "Next" and proceed onto the Donor floor where there's rows and rows of curved chairs meant to have your legs elevated. Chairs are wiped down before sitting. When donating they will tell you to pump your fist to get the blood flowing. Now once I sat and the needle was in, I saw this woman who was flapping her legs up and down like Chucky . At first, I didn't know why she was doing it. I just thought she was being childish and impatient (at least that's what it looked like to me lol). It wasn't until my second visit (which took about 35m max) that I saw a man doing the same thing except his legs were going faster than the previous woman. Before you know it, his container was already filled with plasma, so I started doing the same thing. I was in and out of the donor floor within 32m! The ones who weren't pumping their fist and flapping their feet like Chucky were staying there 1hr minimum easyyyy. Staff are respectful, clean establishment, and they take great care of you from beginning to end. * You can only donate up to two times in a 7day period. New donors receive a higher incentive than return donors (must donate 5xs within your first 30days). As of June 8, 2024, new donors receive $100 for the first three donations and $75 for the last two donations within a 30day period.

From the owner: CSL plasma Inc. is one of the world's largest collectors of human plasma. As a leader in plasma…read morecollection, CSL Plasma is committed to excellence and innovation in everything we do. Our work helps to ensure that tens of thousands of people are able to live normal, healthy lives. We are committed to our work because lives depend on us. Our U.S. plasma collection centers, which are located throughout the United States, are committed to the highest standards of quality and Safety. Plasma is the essential ingredient for products crucial to treating patients suffering from a host of life-threatening conditions and bleeding disorders. Give a valuable gift to those who require plasma-derived therapies to live healthier lives.

I was deferred because my vein was missed causing excess bleeding. I had to provide a letter from…read moremy doctor stating I didn't have a bleeding disorder and confirming my meds. It still took another week because their "doctor" only comes once a week. Today I went in only to be told I'm permanently deferred because my meds that haven't changed don't match what's on file. Nothing has changed. I asked twice to print a side by side but the "nurse" wouldn't. She also said I wasn't truthful about asthma. Apparently they don't know what medications are for. They have lowered rates so my guess is they want to weed out people to save money. Not save lives

This place sucks they are slow all the way from pricking to getting you unstuck when you finish…read moreyour donation they are rude as f*** like if it's anyone's fault they don't know how to do their own job I sat for an hour to just be pricked there was only 8 people ahead of me once I finished my donation I sat for 16 minutes just to be unstuck it's a waste of time never going back to that ghetto place

I've been going to Dr. Brawley for several years and I'm now searching for a new PCP. She has a…read moregreat lab person and a great person up-front. She used to be great, but perhaps she has gotten busy and lost her quality of care. It takes months and months to get an appointment and you cannot schedule with another doctor in the practice if you are in a jam. I went in on June 19 and today, July 5, I'm still chasing down numerous prescription REFILLS. In fact, none are at the pharmacy and someone that just looked at my chart, only sees 1. I was told to arrive 20 minutes early and then waited almost 55 minutes for the doctor. No problem. Honestly. Here's the problem. When I didn't have my prescriptions 10 days later, I was told by her nurse, "I don't need to know what you and Dr. Brawley talked about; I need to know what you need." That is a quote. When I told her she was being rude, she told me, she wasn't rude. She was busy because she had a patient to see. This did not sit well with me in light of the time I patiently waited. It's Friday, at almost 2 and I'm sure I'll go another weekend without my prescriptions. Do yourself a favor and skip this practice. It's a shame because Miss Amy that draws blood drives from NC and she's amazing! The girl that sits on the right (can't remember her name) is fabulous if you can get lucky enough to get her on the phone. She pulls the voicemail, so I'm almost thankful when I do leave a message.

I absolutely love Dr.Brawley. She was so patient and caring of my health issues and gave me…read moredifferent options on how to make things better for me going forward. She checked on me over the weekend when the office was closed just to make sure I was aware of my lab results without waiting to see her on my next visit. I recommend her 10 times shes the best.

computers went down just as i was completing my screening so of course…read moresystem did not print out my lable in order to move on to the donating plasma process i feel i should be compensated for my time of driving to the clinic completing my screening only to be turned away due to system going down now i have to repeat this process again tomorrow loyal doner

One of the reasons I stopped coming to this location is because most of the staff are rude and very…read moreunprofessional. You are kept waiting A LOT longer than needed to be!

This American Red Cross is located along W. Brambleton Ave. This is the regional services center,…read morenot the donation center, which is right next to this building. You can also get here using The Tide (light rail). The closest station is the western terminus at the EVMC / Fort Norfolk station. I did drive here, but at least I have GPS in my car. I normally don't travel into Norfolk very often. However, an event by the American Red Cross brought me here on March 27, 2019. The reason for this visit was for a Donor Appreciation Event, as I donate platelets regularly throughout the year at the Virginia Beach location. After arriving at the location, parking was plentiful. There is a door that you have to get "buzzed" in, but there was a staff member at the door so there were no issues getting in. As I was getting to the registration table, Scott found me and was looking to get my info, as he is one of the staff that I have worked with many times at the Virginia Beach Donation Center. After talking for a bit and looking around a bit, I went into the main conference type room they had in there. This room is where the main event would occur. There was a table at the back where we could pick up a box lunch provided by Baker's Crust. I went with the chicken sandwich for my lunch there that day, which was very good. After eating and everyone was mostly done eating, the main event began. Many of the regional American Red Cross staff were on hand, and talked about the importance of blood, platelet, and plasma donations. There was also a recognition for those of us that donate platelets, specifically those that had 18 or more platelet donations for the year. I was one of them as I had 20 platelet donations in 2018, and well on my way to matching that for this year as well. There is a plaque for it as well that is now put up in the Virginia Beach location. After that, it was time for some stories by donors. Some of the donors were actually receivers themselves at one point for blood, platelets or plasma products. These stories were very moving and makes one want to continue to donate. It ended with the regional staff asking for monetary donations, etc., but said they were required to say that. Overall, it was a great experience and event. The staff have always been great and attentive. I also found out that there is a bit of cost for platelets, blood, etc. by the hospitals, but the costs are only to cover the testing of the product, storage, etc. If you have never donated blood, plasma, or platelets, I definitely recommend looking to do so. You could be saving many lives in the process.

I had been to this center a couple other times, and had positive experiences - but not today…read more I arrived about half an hour before my platelet donation appointment at 9:30, so I could relax and get my pulse within range, and even brought my machine to check. It was gradually coming down, and one of the nurses said waiting until about 9:40 was fine. 9:30 comes around, and the charge nurse, Jackie, said, "there are only three nurses here, we need to get going," despite what the other nurse said. Of course, it was out of range. I understand that they have schedules, and I suppose I should have arrived even earlier, and maybe 10 minutes wouldn't have made enough of a difference. That being said, I was there out of the goodness of my heart, no one else was on the donation bed, and waiting ten minutes for a volunteer is not the end of the world. Jackie, really unprofessional on your part.

Donated blood today at the Coast Guard blood drive in downtown Norfolk. It was so easy and so…read morenecessary. 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.

I had a great blood donation experience here today! The Blood Donor app said they started walk-ins…read moreat 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!

Went to octapharma plasma today to give and they was closed, closed at 3:45 when they are open…read moreuntil 7. This is not the first time I've came here and they were closed. If you can't service your customers and stay open until you're supposed to close, close the place down or get some people that want to work. This is bad business.

This location recently opened and looks very nice inside. There are a few still in training since…read morethis location is relatively new. Also, the kiosks used to check in seemed slow to upload considering its new. Maybe a reboot is needed. With COVID, more sanitizer is needed in different areas. You use your finger to sign in at the kiosk and when getting your vitals done but there is no hand sanitizer. Also, not sure if blood pressure cuffs and beds/chairs are sanitizer after each use. Apparently a person who donates plasma can only be given two sticks at most to donate and neither attempt worked for me. I've donated many times in the past and usually you feel the stick since it's about a 16G needle. I actually didn't feel the second stick but it also wasn't in the vein. In their defense, I was probably slightly dehydrated. I'm going back in a few days to try again. While I could go to another location, every staff member was very nice and they get five stars for customer service. Obviously I am not including the ability to stick someone the first time every time. I'll try to edit and post an update later. I would also like to add that it's not a good idea to go in a group if it's your first time. I referred two friends and we all showed up at the same time and the process took longer than usual. There's only one person that was doing physicals for new donors. What to bring - A local address is needed. This can include a military base address if you are TDY and a statement with your actual home if record address is needed too. - SSN card. There are a few alternative options and you can call and ask them about it. - a book to read while you wait and donate - I get cold easily and bring a blanket with me - water and a snack (vending machine has chips and soda) There are currently a few different promotions. Not sure or can't remember what they include at the moment. Not much of a wait, if any, to donate for returning donors. There's also lots of parking. Recommend checking out this location.

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Keesha Steward. From the very first appointment, she made…read moreme feel heard, understood, and truly cared for. She takes the time to listen without rushing, asks thoughtful questions, and works with me to find the best treatment plan instead of just handing out prescriptions. What I appreciate most is how approachable and compassionate she is. I've had psychiatrists in the past who felt cold or clinical, but Dr. Steward has a warm and supportive energy that makes it easy to open up about even the hardest topics. She explains things clearly, makes sure I understand my options, and I always leave feeling more hopeful and supported. If you're looking for a psychiatrist who is professional, empathetic, and genuinely invested in your well-being, I highly recommend Dr. Keesha Steward. She has been a true blessing in my mental health journey.

Today is my first appointment for therapy at Alpha. As required I was 1/2 hour early for my 1300…read moreappointment. I arrived at 12:30. All the doors are locked to their office. I called the office nobody answers the phone. Ad to that, I had to Uber to this appointment because I did not have a driver available, So now I am sitting outside another office in the smoking area because it's about to rain and there is nowhere to sit and stay dry and my car is at home. This by far is the most unprofessional practice. The entire staff goes to lunch at the same time. Why require patients to be early when the office is clearly closed.