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June 2022 by Gary Powell
I donated blood at the Red Cross facility in Albemarle Square. I was very surprised to find that of the four staff only one was masked and there was no requirement for donors to be masked.I will not be back unless their policy is changed.
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April 2022 by Duane Cox
I am DONE with ARC!!! This is the 4th time in the last 18 months, that the staff couldn't be bothered from their Internet searches. I signed up for the ONLY AVAILABLE SLOT today to give blood at the routine site, but on arrival told "We don't do Power Red here". Twice I made reservations online, only to be told "we don't have you on our schedule today". Once with a printout, still denied, and had to reschedule 3 weeks later. Well, I'm done with this Computer based incompetence, and stupidity!!! I have been donating blood since Bootcamp US Army 1975, and the entire 51/2 years while working in Saudi Arabia. No more money, blood, NOTHING FROM ME EVER AGAIN!!!!
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March 2022 by Mia S.
Conversation over the phone with Red Cross reminding me of the donation, she was super nice and asked if I had any questions. My question was "is anybody allowed to stay with you while giving platelets?"She politely replied "of course! You can stay together. We love company. We will also have pillows and blankets in case you get cold" I was happy to hear that, because 3 hours is a long time to be alone especially since it would have been my first time doing that type of donation. When I got there the volunteer at the front desk asked how tall I was. Then he said "hmmm. You can't donate because you don't meet the requirement." I was confused because there is no height limit to giving platelets according to the website. I told him that, and he said "oh yeah, yeah...you might be right" I really hope he didn't turn anyone away for platelets because of their height. Then when I ask if someone can stay with me, he immediately says no and that there are no exceptions due to COVID. I tried to explain about the person on the phone who told me the exact opposite thing, I wasn't trying to start trouble or anything and I was prepared to be alone during the donation anyway. I was just explaining so maybe they could communicate so they aren't telling people the wrong thing. Instead of that happening, the volunteer goes back to this lady who works there, and says to her: "she wants someone to stay with her" and the lady rudely retorts "oh I can talk to her if she has a problem with that!" ...I didn't though? Then she stomps over and proceeds to treat me condescendingly as I try to explain myself. She didn't say she'd do anything about it by the end. The whole thing was weirdly aggressive. After I send my friend back to his car, this other dude takes me back into this extremely small room and asks me to shut the door. There is barely any space to breathe in there. then he asks to see my ID. I show it to him and he looks me dead in the eye and says "this ain't you!!" I'm visibly confused, "um..yes it is." And he goes, "no, it ain't!!" ...after a pause. I pull down my mask to show my face. I was annoyed. Then he goes: "HAHA, I WAS JUST JOKING!" ....yeah, it was real funny. Then i get my fingers pricked, and I find out all this was for nothing because my iron was too low both times. I did get a free T shirt, but it wasn't worth any of this. I will be donating again, but I won't be coming back here. The people I met that day were rude and will laugh in your face even when you're visibly uncomfortable. Treat people better.
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June 2021 by Emily Conrad
BEST FACILITY TO GIVE BLOOD! Stacy and Becky were the best nurses I have ever gotten via the American Red Cross. They were calm and patient with me when my nerves were elevated. I constantly struggle with my hard to reach veins and those nurses got it on the first poke. I was very, very happy with my experience. Cannot wait to donate there again!!
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January 2021 by Bob Romanko
NOT CDC Compliant During COVID!I would give this ZERO stars if possible. This morning I had an appointment for my usual Power Red. I have never been to the facility before (606 Albemarle Square), having donated at UVA regularly. I arrived 5 minutes early, double-masked and had my RapidPass completed. Upon arriving I was greeted by a very large man breathing like he just ran a marathon. He took my temperature orally, so I had to lower my mask. There was NO social distancing on his part. He then had me follow him to the intake room to the right of the center. This room was about 6' by 5' in size, with one very small desk and chair and another chair immediately next to it for me. the chairs were less than 3' apart. He's still breathing heavily, and wearing a loose bandanna, not the mask I was expecting at the Red Cross. He then CLOSES THE DOOR. I am now in a closet, basically, with a guy who's breathing very hard and he starts asking me if I'll be "at my current address for the next 8 weeks". I told him "yes", and asked if they even use the RapidPass that I completed? He said, "Yea - that's not what people think it is." About that time, I'm feeling VERY uncomfortable with the situation of being in this box with this guy. I ask him if we can open the door, and he says, "No. The door has to stay closed. I have a mask on." I tell him, "It's not a magic mask, and we're in a very small enclosed space." I get up and go out the door. He calls his supervisor over, and I tell her my concerns. She says, "This is FDA-compliant for your privacy." I tell her I'm very familiar with HIPAA and ask if I can complete the intake somewhere else, and she says it must be in that room. I told her it's not CDC-compliant, and she repeats it's FDA-compliant and that "All Red Cross donation centers are like this." I tell her, "So during a pandemic you're letting the FDA trump the CDC." She tells me, "Well, you can just not donate then." By this point, I'm totally upset with the manager, the donation center and the American Red Cross. I agree with her, "Yes, I can not donate today, or any day. I am DONE donating." They just lost a lifelong O- donor.
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January 2021 by S N.
Went to the blood donation center in Albemarle Square. I signed up for the wrong thing, I guess, the Power donation. They told me to make another appointment. I asked if they could just take a pint of whole blood, but no, make another appointment. They went into the back room and asked someone. Make another appointment again I was told. It would have been nice to have a further explanation. No "thank you for coming in" , no nothing after that. You would think with the severe blood shortage they say they have something could have been done. A bit more courtesy. More training is needed for front line staff. Also, please speak a bit louder when you are wearing a mask. Not sure I'll return.
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April 2020 by Rebecca L.
Somehow, time and again, they manage to screw up the most basic things. Staff is rude and incompetent at a level that's frankly difficult to believe if you haven't experienced it. Don't trust them with your safety or your time.
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April 2020 by Iris A.
Right so with this stuff going on in the world I decided I wanted to help out and go donate so I set up an appointment to give platelets and I get there to find out one my pulse was too high to give which I could understand then after finding out I could not give i was there with someone who could give and because i could not give they had the nerve to tell me i had to wait outside like i was some sort of dog. I took time out of my day to do this and risked getting sick to help those in need to be treated like a dog because my pulse was too high. I was not impressed not one bit and will not be returning to that place.
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February 2020 by John N.
Red Cross Blood donation center in Albemarle Square: Under former management, this was a great facility with good people and a good process. Under the Red Cross management, it has fallen apart. Unpleasant staff, poor online registration process, delays when coming in with an appointment. Donating blood should be an easy and efficient process and good overall experience for the donor, particularly when the Red Cross is selling that donated blood with good margins. There needs to be another option in Charlottesville.
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May 2019 by Dejan Bratcher
I arrived for my appointment on 3/7 only to be told that "the equipment had not arrived yet and you will need to reschedule your appointment for another day because we are overbooked as well." Those with appointments were not notified of this via call or email. The staff apologized but refused to give out the Game of Throne shirts despite having an appointment, rearranging personal/work schedules, and driving all the way to the donation center. I'm disappointed in the lack of professionalism and courtesy, and I plan to find other blood donation organizations in the future.
