1. ABO Plasma - Otay Mesa West

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    San Diego, CA

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    ABO Plasma - Otay Mesa West

    5.0 (4 reviews)
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    San Diego Blood Bank

    San Diego Blood Bank

    4.2(66 reviews)
    9.9 miMount Hope
    71 years in business
    Not-for-profit

    As I was heading to get gas at the Costco off market, I saw a sign that said 'Save Lives, donate…read moretoday' or something to that effect. As I turned the corner down Gateway Center drive, I saw another sign that read the same thing. Well guess what, I GOT TIME TODAY! After getting gas, I headed around the corner to the blood bank. They say, you either die a hero, or you live long enough to be the villain. Well today, I was a hero. Clinics have always had a hard time drawing my blood, so I didn't think I was a good candidate. Today, I decided to put that theory to the test. Check in was a breeze (without appointment), and although the ~50-60 question questionnaire was a bit of a drag, it's worth it to save 3 lives. Don't ya think? I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the donation accomplishments of fellow Elite inspiration Candace L., who has donated over 105 pints of blood! Her photos and commentary reminded me of the gift that is donating blood. Congratulations Candace! If you're able, I highly highly encourage you to donate. The life you save could make all the difference. Okay so after you're all good on paper, you'll wait a few minutes for them to bring you back. Before you're able to donate, they'll have to prick your finger to check your iron level. If it's too low, sadly you won't be able to donate at this time. You'd have to come back another time and try it again. Thankfully, your iron levels do fluctuate, so just because you didn't make it this time, don't fret, next time you might be perfect. Once you pass test number two, then you're heading to the back to meet the Dracula machine. All of the people are so nice, and there to support you along your giving journey. You can donate plasma, platelets, or blood, and each have their own criteria for donating, and their own "bleed" lengths. I was doing blood this day, so it only takes about 30 minutes or so, depending on your flow. Btw, they play some serious jams in here, so when I heard "Smooth Operator" pumping through the speakers, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. After they removed the fangs, I was sent to the waiting/observation area, where I visited with the sweetest volunteer. I think her name was Elaine. They have snacks and juices for you to replenish yourself while you wait the 15 minutes of observation before you can leave. They even have these built in buzzers on the table, just in case you feel faint. Oh and to top it all off, they were giving away Mickey Mouse Halloween t-shirts to everyone who donated. In September, everyone who donated got a ticket to Sea World's Howl-O-Sceam. Pretty cool. Approximately 48 hours after you donate, you'll be able to find out your blood type if you didn't know it already. Any other O+'s in the house? Where you at? You have to wait approximately 2 months between blood donations, so I'm due back next month. And wouldn't you know it, I ran into a dear old friend in the blood draw room. He donates platelets every two weeks...what a champion-you know who you are! Kudos to any of you who donate, or those that feel inspired to donate. About 2.5 weeks after my donation, I was alerted that my blood was sent to Long Beach Memorial Center.... SCORE! I just potentially saved 3 lives. Save Lives, Donate Today

    All of the staff here is super genuine and nice. Shout out to Heidi who helped me today. I hate…read moreneedles but she made the process a breeze during my whole blood donation.

    Photos
    San Diego Blood Bank - Entrance - COVID

    Entrance - COVID

    San Diego Blood Bank
    San Diego Blood Bank

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    Biomat USA - What? No column for social security numbers?

    Biomat USA

    2.8(187 reviews)
    13.5 mi

    I like donating plasma. In fact, you might call me a plasma aficionado. Or a plasmado. (But please…read moredon't.) It's a great way to make, depending on the location, about 50 clams per hour of tax-free money while helping science discover and aid people with blood disorders. (Plasma is the liquidy part of blood, in case you're curious and didn't know.) And those of us who have donated regularly know that a lot goes into the donation process, not the least of which is how you're treated. And on that point, Biomat USA completely misses the mark. There are four big plasma donation players in town: BioLife, CSL, Octapharma (I know. VERY James Bond-sounding.), and Biomat USA. Even their name screams rocks and torture and summer reruns. The problem here is twofold. One, the staff is temperamental. Or, at least it was until I stopped going there altogether. They're friendly, even ribald, among themselves. But when it comes to the interaction between staff and donator, it's like the difference between night and seaweed. Between the bruising on my arm, the coldness of the staff, the basic overall indifference to the comfort of the people who make a place like Biomat USA profitable, I just found it too much trouble to bother returning, ESPECIALLY when you have a lot of other good plasma donation centers to choose from. Now granted, I'm not saying all Biomat USA's are like a tray of expired kale, but the one at 7150 El Cajon Boulevard is like Disneyworld minus the sexual predators but with ants. My other beef is their big, big violation of HIPAA. (See my blurry photo below.) You cannot ask people to display personal information like that! Oy! I cringe. And since you can't lie or you won't be seen, it puts its donators in the unenviable position of exposing themselves to strangers by being asked to sign in in such a public way. Yikes! (Personally, I just put my mononym, Prince.) But it's not all random scraps and metal and dog hair. They do pay fairly, they're highly organized - the onboarding process was seamless and professional, kudos to that R.N. - and they do a good job of getting you in and out. But it felt understaffed and overrun and their was this weird tension; it was as if the hole place could be raided at any moment by government officials. It's hard to explain. (Unless you've been through said raid.) I know there are some very upset people who wrote some understandably angry reviews. I would, too. But, for me, their offenses don't rise to the level where the energy spent on bashing them was worth the return in satisfaction. I just think they don't do enough to show their appreciation for the very people who make those private moments of laughter between staff possible.

    Today, my spouse and I came to donate plasma for the first time. We had an appointment scheduled in…read moreadvance for 11:00 a.m. Upon arrival, a staff member informed us that they were unable to accept us at that time and that we would need to wait approximately one hour before the registration process could begin. The staff member was polite, and I understand that the delay was not her fault and was likely caused by a staffing shortage. However, the branch management should pay attention to this issue, as appointments should be handled according to the scheduled time.

    Photos
    Biomat USA - Bruising from slipped needle.

    Bruising from slipped needle.

    Biomat USA - Donor Reception Area

    Donor Reception Area

    Biomat USA

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    ABO Plasma - Otay Mesa West - blooddonation - Updated July 2026

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