BloodSource Midtown

This is the best blood donation joint I have been to… Chicago, New York, this is the friendliest, cleanest, smoothest-​process, best one. I donate here every two months. That being said…
Just for all those who don’t know… donating blood is a great gesture. But bloodsource sells the blood to facilities that need it. (As do all blood donation centers, unless you donate to the hospital or the like) So don’t trick yourself into thinking you are «donating» for the good of society. Its just a resource that a company will sell.

I’ve been donating at this location a long time. I moved away and couldn’t for a long time, but try to whenever I am in the area. Every time I donate, I donate platelets. The staff is always understanding and helpful. Whenever I go, my arm tends to be needy and require a lot of attention. I was given the suggestion to get a seat warmer to make the donation processes easier. Oh, and I hate needles. I have a lot of irrational fears, but understand the importance of donation and the staff is always super helpful. I am so glad I found this location and I make it a point to go when ever I can.

This is my Bloodsource. I’m a platelets donor, so I’m here every other week. The people are efficient and friendly. When you sign up for platelets, it can take some extra time, so they have movies you can watch with headphones! The check in runs about 30 to 40 minutes, then the donation part can take up to 2 hours. I’m retired, so when I go that’s usually it for the day for me.
There are great drinks and snacks as you leave. It makes me feel good to give, knowing I’m helping someone. Paying it forward. It’s a good thing!

GIVE BLOOD SAVE LIVES F’REALS THO!
Not much to say about Bloodsource. They provide a much needed service that everybody should help out with. It is not like you will deny people your blood just because you don’t like a Bloodsource. Anyways, I will provide a quick review.
AMBIANCE: ⁵⁄₅
Very nice location! They provide free parking with a security guard. The entire building looks brand new, because it is. All different areas are very large and spaced out. Probably the best looking blood source that I have every been to. Very relaxing.
SERVICE: ⁴⁄₅
Very little wait time for me without an appointment. The Phlebotomists and RNs were all very friendly and make you feel at home. After sitting down in the blood-​stealing chair, I did experience a bit of a wait. Nothing too bad. If you are donating blood then I doubt that you are in a rush. The only thing that I did not like is that they close around 4. Lame.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE:
People need your blood. Help save lives. Seriously.

I donate every 2 or 3 weeks (source plasma now, platelets before, and whole blood before that) and have been doing this for 14 years at BloodSource. They have great, caring staff who are pros. Appointment times are almost always kept and if I show up a little early they can usually get me started early. I’ve not had any bad experiences and I’ve observed them handle fainting donors, difficult veins, and more professionally. Staff are caring, friendly and good at their jobs. The refreshments afterwards are good and appreciated. 364 pints so far and I’ll be back!

Yes I am a fan of the blood bank! My ALMOST PROMOTED TO GLORY TO BAPTISM SUNDAY under Liberty Towers Church! Well, that was May 27, 2005! Now is April 27, 2015, I thinking is nine yers and eleven months of life, Hallelujah!
Denise, yellow hair, is the person that checks you in for the appointment! Evaluator was Rachael (or Rachel), short brown hair! Weight at 125.2 pounds, pulse of 70, temperature 98.5! Nurse, one that actually does the blood, Misty, long pony tail brown hair! All very professional people! After, the instructions say when you leave the bed, have refreshments, stay in refreshment area at least ten minutes! I always, for the safety reasons, stay at least twenty five, do have the required two cups drink, (ORANGE JUICE), a bran muffin, two boxes raisins! I tell Denise best time was when I almost gave for Daddy, he lived eleven more years, got see six of teh seven grandchildren! Seventh, Daddy of the seventh, «He knew! Lance was born in February, Daddy died in March!» I say, «Ah so he knew it was born and that it was a boy,» something of he did not want infect the baby! I shall continue to try give! This now according to the receipt, forty fifth, seeing each saves up three (3) lives, I have now saved up to one hundred thirty five lives!
Back at Sheraton (of course, where else), tell Bar Tender Steve, (PHOENIX BIRD) «Just had a Blood Date! They say I should have orange juice!» So the usual offer bowl Bar Snacks, three cups orange juice later! Ernesto (PENGUIN) gives me big cup water, the same kind bread that is given on the tables when person goes to sit down restaurant! All this, no charge! I do and glad that finally, leave $ 1.25 tip for Steve! Yes I will be back maybe when I stay in July!
Last successful Blood Date was April 27, 2015, yes in Sacra! So then July 1, 2015 I try! I pass all the tests, but to be honest, one the questions is or was ARE YOU FEELING WELL AND HEALTHY TODAY! Told the lady, Delmonica short yellow hair, «Not Sure How Answer That,» told her of my experience at Kaiser Sacramento MOrse Way/​Avenue/​Street/​Boulevard! I understand when for safety reasons, have be symptom free so deferred from July 1, 2015 to next July 1, 2016! Same when I had medical stroke, try September that year! Passed but had or wanted be honest with the question! Was deferred September whatever date 2007 to September whatever date of 2008!
Celebrity Guest (TIGER)

I donated blood for the first time today, they were deaf-​friendly and spoke clearly for me. They answered all of my questions patiently which put me at ease since I was a nervous wreck before I entered the building. It took an hour before they finally stabbed me with a needle (actually it wasn’t painful since they were gentle) and the actual process took 10 minutes. I was not lightheaded or sore, I was excited to help others with my O negative blood! You will want to make an appointment and you can do that online, they also have munchies and a rewards system so you can get gift cards, ice-​cream, etc. I discovered I was able to donate my platelets as well so I will be returning in two weeks :) btw we can donate whole blood every 8 weeks and they desperately need more blood for people in need, I was told that they do not waste blood since every drop counts!

BloodSource Midtown’s relatively new facility is clean, well staffed and in a safe location with a private parking lot. You’ll want to arrange your appointment in advance as their time slots fill up quickly. If you haven’t donated before, it’s helpful to do a quick screening in advance so you don’t waste time showing up and failing the screening test. e.g., «took aspirin this morning,» or «just got back from the Congo.»
Hours vary by day, which can make afternoon appointments difficult to get! We like to make our donations at the same time, and despite the multiple stations, we’re never able to get the exact same time slot for a simultaneous donation. The latest appointment times are on Thursdays, when they’re open until 6. You’ll want to allow at least 45 minutes for your (whole blood) appointment, including the screening process which is followed prior to every donation.
Donating blood is one of the ways to find out your blood type. And, if you’re one of the few with AB positive or O negative, know that your donation is critically needed, and often in short supply, for newborns and in the ER.
Many health practitioners swear by regular blood donations after age 50 as a means of purging iron (yup, excess iron will rust your insides) and other minerals from your body.

Was talked into giving platelets and it was harrowing. My face got tingly and i felt queasy and about half way through i thought «welp. Never doing this again.» But then the nurse came by and shook the bag and said «this is going to help someone beat cancer.»
So I promised myself I would try one more time. Went back and had the best nurse. Stephanie understood why it was miserable and totally took care of me. They go to pains to make sure that you have the best experience possible and because of Stephanie I’m a regular.

I love this location, everyone is very friendly and they will help you with or with out an appointment. Fast and easy to give something back.

I try to come in every 8 weeks (or so) to donate whole blood. Been doing so for about 5 years now. I never make appointments and have yet to have waited over 10 minutes to get on a chair.
They make donating blood fun and painless!

I’ve been donating for a while, first whole blood and now platelets. I’m not very good with needles but feel that I should do what I can for people in need. Being O+, I’m the universal donor so there’s no limit to the people I can help. I’m the biggest baby ever when it comes to needles but the staff here are really great. Very patient with me and know how to get it right the first time. Gotta give a shout-​out to the guy in the snacks department. I can’t remember his name but he is just ever so friendly, and sooooo helpful. Just the nicest guy and always a pleasure to see him.

I love Bloodsource, and the midtown location in particular. Unfortunately, I no longer give blood because they no longer have evening appointments. I gave platelets for many many years and always felt good about doing it. Apparently, there weren’t enough of us to giving to make it worth being open past 5:00. Too bad. If they started doing 5:00 appointments again, I’d be all over it.

This was my 22^nd whole blood donation and once again the staff made the whole experience so pleasant. They ALWAYS make you feel appreciated and are truly grateful for the each of the donors that come in. Blood Source takes what could an uncomfortable experience and makes it delightful; one comes away with a sense of gratification for giving of themselves in this way.

The basics:
While I was out running around I happened on Bloodsource’s mobile blood bus operating a blood drive. I had been talking about doing some volunteer/​donation type things over the holidays and figured hey why not. I hopped in line and filled out a short form and showed a picture ID so I could donate and then I waited on my turn to go in. I was called in quickly and then sat and did some more paperwork and answered a few more questions. After a few more steps to determine that I was able to give blood I was up in a chair with a needle in my arm draining my blood out. Everything was smooth and easy with no problems. The staff was very pleasant and was very informative. When all was done there was water and snacks to help with those who get a little lightheaded.
What works: You accumulate points when you donate blood so you can trade in points for items. The staff is great and the process is basically painless. Besides you are saving lives so what can be bad?
What to improve: Nothing really I can think of.
The short version: There are multiple locations throughout the city as well as buses that are set up to help with your donation. You earn points for goodies while helping out your fellow man.

I gave blood. O– rare bloodtype. They can’t sit me fast enough. Lovely place. Excellent service. Great people here, friendly. I will return here to gice my pints to save lives. Definitely a place to donate.

I really like the staff that works at this location. I came in wanting to donate blood, but unfortunately was unable due to low hemoglobin levels. The employee saw me upset and requested to try the other hand to see if my level would be higher. Although it was higher the second time, it still wasn’t at the required 12.5. The staff was extremely appreciative of my attempt to donate and gave me information on how to increase my iron intake. The assured me that just because I was unable to donate didn’t mean I was unhealthy, I just didn’t have sufficient red blood cells to donate and still be ok myself.
Of course one of the best parts of donating is endulging in yummy snacks right after =) The staff still welcomed me to relax and help myself to beverages and snackes even though I didn’t donate. I will definitely be back to this location soon to try to donate sometime this week.

Everything is great beside the harassing phone calls to get you back in and if you don’t have an appointment it takes forever! But everything else is awesome if you don’t mind SCHEDULING your next appointment and being patient. I just did my 65^th donation I’m going for 100 by the end of the year:) Save lives-​receive points-​get rewards-​be awesome!

Without hesitation, I generally donate my blood on a regular basis and i don’t like making appointments for something like this. This Bloodsource was awesomely staffed with some really friendly people. Coming in, they smiled and gave me tickets to the state fair! Wow. Good deal. I sign up for a donation and off I went; through the normal friendly questions that are defaulted to state the constraints. Off I went to the chair to get the life sucked out of me… literally. The RN was really friendly; we laughed and chatted about the random things in our lives. Very professional and courteous. After the donation, they offer ‘free’ snacks and drinks to replenish yourself. Definitely a great place with great people; A must for a place to donate blood.
Pros: Staff and Office
Cons: Needles :(
Stars: 5

I’ve been donating blood since I was legally old enough to do so. 20 minutes of time every 2 months saves up to three lives. What’s so hard about that? The staff is always friendly, and always find my vein quickly and with relatively little pain, and let me tell you I have hard veins to find! I don’t get queasy or faint during the process and the more you donate, the more you realize that that aspect is really just a head trip… what is a needle prick compared to being in a car accident? You’re saving lives…
P. s. all the juice, cookies, and snacks you want and you get point for donating for cool prizes including movie tickets, ipads, and e readers.