Do Better Red Cross

I’ve been involved with Non-profits for most of my life. I have raised money, sat on boards, chaired committees, been board chair, volunteered, auctioneered for events, done training and taught non-profit board workshops. Today I had an absolutely horrible experience as a donor of a non-profit and it was inexcusable.

I have O- blood. O- is the universal donor blood, meaning that it can go to anyone without issue. So if someone comes in the ER and needs blood in an emergency they can be given O- rather than waiting to type their blood and figure out what their exact match is. All blood types are needed, but O- is especially needed. So I get calls every week asking me to donate blood, which I do when I can. (I can’t give every week)

With all the hurricanes Russ decided that it would be good if we gave this week. He made an appointment at our local Red Cross donation center, then told me. I went on the app I have on my phone and by the time I did there were no spots at 8:30 when Russ was going so I took the 11:30 appointment.

I showed up at 11:20 as I am always early. I had done my pre-check on the app and was ready to go. The volunteer at the desk gave me a name tag with 11:30 written on it and I joined the other donors in the chairs awaiting to be called into the little cubicle to discuss my eligibility, as all donors do.

There were two phlebotomists with two donors lying on beds and at least ten people waiting in chairs. There was a very Loud TV playing some movie which honestly was the most annoying thing. I sat and read news on my phone as more and more people checked in.

I sat there for 40 minutes and not one person from the chair waiting area was called into a cubicle or had their blood drawn and the people who were on the beds were still there. It normally takes about 20 minutes to draw the maximum blood they can take.

A woman who was there before me got up to ask the phlebotomist how long it would be. He looked at his computer and mumbled something I could not hear. So I got up and asked. He looked at my name tag and then his computer and said I would get my draw at 2:00. WTF?

“My appointment was at 11:30, I should have been told at check in, (which was ten feet away) that you all are hours behind.”

“I can’t help it,” was his lame excuse.

This is no way to treat donors. This is not the first time I have had an issue with this donation center, but it will be the last.

I ripped my name tag off and handed it to the check in volunteer and said, “Please remove me from the list today.”

I drove home and wrote the Red Cross an email on the donor app. This is no way to treat donors. A little communication goes a long way.