Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

I had melanoma cancer. The Doctors and Nurses are wonderful. I still go to DFCI for checkups. Only place to be if you have Cancer.

This is for the blood donation center.
The Kraft Center is very clean and the people that work there are AMAZING!!! They know how to make you feel relaxed and very comfortable during the blood donation. In fact I was on my go to meeting app and had a full 40 min meeting while donating. The wifi is great and the staff have my a charger to keep me charged up.
I was happily surprised to see how nice the staff is with new people like me and the regulars that come in all the time. You can see that it’s more then donating blood it’s catching up with friends.
I have to mention the piano player his name is Joseph Blanchard from Newtown, MA. The piano adds to the claim and class act of this center.
Mr. Blanchard is extremely talented.
He must be famous in the piano word!!! He’s being SO much joy to the all of the people that are coming/​working here. His music is like magic to all of the people’s ears.
I do recommend coming on Thursdays if your in the area and just sit in the lobby while eating your lunch or to just get way from the daily stress of life.
Go Save a Life!!! DONATE BLOOD!!!

If you have to have cancer this is the place to be! Outstanding doctors Nurses says and administrative assistants!

I am a patient here. My doctor also teaches at Harvard Medical so I feel pretty confident in his expertise. There is usually not much of a wait to see the doctor. My doctor gave me a very clear treatment plan. They are buying up other locations, such as the former oncology offices in Newburyport, so I transferred care here. It definitely has a corporate versus a small town office vibe, and my doctor is not warm and fuzzy like my old one who retired but he is still an excellent doctor.
This is a world class hospital with the latest clinical trials. Parking is not easy and I have a handicapped sticker. There is a validated parking place but when your ill it is still a walk… but to get world class care it is worth it.
They have a beautiful facility with the cream of the crop for doctors. They avoid unnecessary testing and approach the whole person. Kudos to them.

Lets be honest:
Getting cancer sucks.
For one: it can kill you.
For two: it will give you months of bad hair days.
For three: you will turn into a human pin cushion because as part of the treatment you have to have nearly daily blood tests.
But if you do get cancer: come here. DF has probably the best cancer treatment program in the world!
HOW do I know this?
Just take a walk thru the waiting room here: it is like a meeting of OPEC nations.
But here are some tips to get the best from the best.
1. NEVER take the MBTA ride to get or leave here. It takes FOREVER and carries some scary clientele (methodone clinic patients) Better off with UBER or other car service.
2. When you have to have to have blood work done: come on friday. They have this guy there (Middle Aged, average build, African American) who takes blood so well you never feel anything.
3 The café is excellent but I would advise eating at sweet pea own the street. REALLY good ribs!
4. Avoid the patking lots after about 300pm.

This is my third hospital I’ve been treated in for Stage IV breast cancer. They are the real deal. They make the process of treatment and recovery as pleasant as it possibly can be. Everyone is courteous, professional, and caring.

Not the place I want to be, but I am lucky I picked Dana Farber, the best all around doctors, staff, I thank god.

Great staff helping my Father in Law battling Leukemia… I love everyone there!

I am currently being treated at Dana Farber for stage 4 ovarian cancer. I can’t say enough about this facility. They are one of the top 5 cancer centers in the country, and it shows. Everyone works together to ensure you are getting the best course of treatment for your disease, from your oncologist, your nurse, your nutritionist, your social worker, etc.
It’s unfortunate that I have to be a patient, but their facility and care is top-​notch. I feel grateful that I am able to be treated at such a great facility and I am so optimistic about my long-​term recovery.

Organized, efficient scheduling. The best doctors. Beautiful new facility.
My only complaint is that the MRI machines are way too tight and uncomfortable.

Well, it is a hospital, and one of the foremost for cancer research and treatment, we ALL KNOW THIS!
So why am I writing a review about it? Well, in the hopes people will read this and volunteer!
Now, every other week I go in and donate platelets at the Kraft Donation Center at Dana Farber — and YOU SHOULD TOO!
Most people know about donating blood, not many know about platelets unfortunately.
Well, your blood is made up of plasma, platelets, red cells and white cells. When you go through cancer treatment, your platelets take a hit.
now, when you donate blood, they can freeze it, and it lasts 90 days. not so with platelets. they have a shelf life of 7 days. more on that later.
So to donate platelets you go in, answer some questions, make sure you are eligible. plan on being there 2 – 2.5 hours. They hook you up to a plasma phoresis machine, which essentially removes your blood, strips the platelets out, and then puts the blood back in you (sounds gross, but kinda cool, and similar to dialysis)
You will have a needle in your arm for about 1 – 1.5 hours. If you cant handle this, make sure you understand it going in.
So while you are laying there, having the draw come out, you are in a nice comfy reclining chair, heated, watching a movie on their tv’s, watching live tv, listening to music, whatever you want.
And of course, they have the BEST employees there to help you, from Dianne and Sean out front when you come in, to Don, Cheryl and Semeth helping with the Blood draws, they all make you feel comfortable, safe, and make the experience a GREAT one.
So back to the seven day thing.,.
So with platelets, since your blood is being replaced, you can donate every 7 days, up to 25 times a year. (Blood you have to wait 90 days). This is important, as there is ALWAYS a shortage, and your donation only has a shelf life of 7 days.
They test it, that takes 1 – 2 days, and then it goes to save the LIVES of 1 or 2 or 3 kids in the Jimmy Fund Building. Yes, what you do saves someones life that WEEK!
Without these donations, people would not be able to go through their cancer treatments. They need the platelets to be replenished in their bodies in order to continue their therapy.
So YES, you can SAVE a life every other week. two every week!
(ok, so if that isnt a passionate plea to get you to come donate and help, what is?!)
If anyone is interested in donating, please feel free to email me. I can put you in touch with Dianne or Sean, the recruiters at the Kraft Donation center, and you can HELP SAVE LIVES!

My experience was mostly with their radiation clinic on floor P2 and it was never anything less than 6 star service throughout. From the valet parking folks, to the front desk (Neil and LaToya you rock) saying hello, to the amenities and comfort of the building to the actual nurses and then the radiation techs. Top notch care and I am forever indebted to all of them. I might not beat this but they gave me every encouragement and chance to try as hard as I can.

Just went to Dana Farber for a second opinion (after going to another respected medical center). The experience was incredibly good– caring staff, unbelievably knowledgeable, current, compassionate doc. The whole process geared to the best care with great support from all the staff. Could NOT do better than Dana Farber.

Seems strange to rate or review a hospital but instead of giving details, just know that for the last three years, my wife has had to come here to receive treatment and/​or check-​ups. Every time we’ve been there, it’s always been the best service and care that you want, that you need. If you know someone who has been diagnosed with Cancer, this hospital can make the journey a whole lot less daunting.