I've been donating platelets and plasma to the Red Cross for more than a year. I always go to the center on Everett Road, which is generally a bit busy.There's a good size staff. They're all very capable and very nice. The donors are nice, too. Donating platelets -- and sometimes plasma too-- is a time consuming process. It takes 2-3 hours. Platelets are cell fragments needed to stop bleeding. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood. Together, they help people who are battling cancer. Having lost friends to cancer, I donate in order to help. My donations have been sent to hospitals across the country. I can track where they went through the Red Cross app. The Red Cross doesn't pay donors but they can offer $10 store coupons and fun merch. For instance, today was free beach towel day. They seem to be very popular. Regardless, I think most of the donors would give without coupons and freebies. Everyone has lost someone to cancer and it's touching to hear their stories about how they've been moved to donate. read more

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I was stopped during the last donation without any excuse. People were staring and when my wife called the red cross offices (we always donate together and she was accepted) and they told her that I had donated 6 times already this year. They don't accept donors to donate more than 6 times a year, but boy did i feel like a criminal, when I was told that could not donate. In addition, twice in the past the staff were not able to finish the donation due to inability to find a vain. Since then I warn the staff to get someone with experience and they comply. I don't think that the staff is very good, other than the supervisor. I guess that the capable ones work in better places. Also they lost my records from the past. I was a donor in the US Army but was stopped from donating due to mad cow disease, because I had served overseas for more than three years. S I started over. These idiots will not stop me from donating. It is bigger than them. read more

The staff is AMAZING! I never donated before but since my type of blood is in high demand I wanted to help out. Everyone from the person at the front desk to taking my blood made me feel beyond comfortable. So comfortable that I go back every 3 months. I plan on donating platlets next to help out those in need. read more

Ever since my mom passed away from acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2015, I make it a priority to donate blood regularly. I made an appointment at the ARC in Albany for my first ever plasma donation and the phlebotomist accidentally went through my vein into an artery, then pulled back into my vein again. I didn't know this is what happened at the time however, half way through my donation, I felt a sudden burning pain in my arm and upon informing the staff, I was told just to "relax". Wanting to finish the donation, I tried very hard to just "relax" but a minute or so later, I could no longer tolerate the pain and asked them to withdrawal the needle. Upon removal, I immediately noticed faint bruising. My arm was literally throbbing and I have a very high tolerance to pain. Working in the medical field myself, I immediately went to the ER after I left the Albany Red Cross and requested an ultrasound as a precaution to be sure that I didn't have a blood clot which could eventually cause a pulmonary embolism. The ultasound indicated a 1 cm x 1 cm mass in my upper arm and the Dr ordered a follow up with my PCP and ultimately, another ultrasound. The Red Cross called me the very next day to see if I wanted to reschedule a plasma donation since I was unable to finish (not to see how I was doing), and I told them about my visit to the ER. I also repeatedly stated that I was not at all upset with the phlebotomist but that I did want them to be aware that they should always unhook a patient who complains of sudden pain. Additionally, I told them about my arm being what I then considered to be "severely bruised". The American Red Cross asked me to come back to their location and file a report just to have on file, but I was reluctant as I didn't want anyone to get in trouble for a simple mistake (again, I am in the medical field and know that these things do happen). Regardless I went back to Albany ARC in the event that the small mass ended up becoming an issue. They immediately had me contact someone right then and there to report the incident. I explained to the lady at the ARC injury reporting line that I really didn't want to make this a big deal. I only intended on getting documentation should the mass turn into something more. I was then asked to sign a medical release to obtain my FULL medical records despite the fact that I had brought the Albany location the ultrasound report to copy. They said that this is how I would be reimbursed for the ER bill. I told them that I was not looking for reimbursement and I further refused to release my "FULL medical records" as repeatedly requested. After all, they did not need access my FULL records, they only needed documentation of the incident that had occurred a day prior, which I provided. Does privacy even exist anymore??? There were no preexisting conditions that would have ever have caused a mass to be found in my arm and I'm pretty sure the phlebotomist would not have stuck a needle in my arm if it was that severely bruised prior to my donation as they always check your arms before you begin. Bottom line is, they had no right to ask for my full records... I wasn't threatening to sue them and I was not asking them for any sort of compensation/reimbursement. The representative on the phone then got very snotty with me when I refused to comply. Well, about 2 weeks after the incident, I was notified via USPS by the American Red Cross that I was BANNED from all blood donations for a period of 4 months since I failed to provide documentation that I did not in fact have a blood clot. The 4 month waiting period was a precaution to those receiving blood (blood by the way, is centrifuged for a reason). The letter absolutely infuriated me! No one even suggested that I go to the emergency room in the first place, I went on my own. If I had not told them, they never would have known! At the end of the day, it was their mistake, yet they banned me from donating all because I wouldn't give them access to my private medical records! Ridiculous!!! Anyways, my arm was bruised (as shown in the photo) for about 2 months and I had to keep it covered while out in public during the warm summer months because it was so awful to look at (I honestly looked like a battered woman). Other photos are worse! The reaction by the American Red Cross is what triggered me to give this 1-star review. This experience has definitely made me hesitant to donate blood again, even though my 4 month waiting period has long since passed. This is truly hard for me as there is always a well-known blood shortage and I am very anxious to pay it forward in honor of my mom. After all, blood and platelet donations from perfect strangers (like you!) helped to keep my mom alive for 2 years after her initial diagnosis. Please continue to donate, but don't just simply "relax" when you know that something is wrong. Mistakes do happen, but please speak up when you know that something just isn't right. read more

American Red Cross - 1 cm x 1 cm mass in upper arm due to phlebotomist entering an artery rather than a vein. - CPR Classes Near Me - Albany, New York

I prefer coming to the Everett road location. Its clean. Everyone is nice and accommodating. Talk to you like a person. Explain everything. Everyone knows their stuff to get you in and get you out. If you go for a platelet donation be sure to plan and be prepare to hang out for 2 or more hours. Chairs are comfy, and warm. Watch movies, they have 2 drawers full of DVD's. If you get cold like I do I'd recommend bringing mittens. You can bring your own blanket but they also have blankets for you to use. And as always stocked with snacks after your donation. My only rant would be the questions they have you go through before donating. My answers don't change, but something to fast track that would be great. So if you want to donate blood this would be the place to go. Its always in the same place, convenient hours, and the snacks! :) read more

American Red Cross - CPR Classes Near Me - Albany, New York

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I donate Platelets regularly. Everyone in the Staff is just amazing! Most of them are very up beat and actually care about you. They treat you almost as if your royalty at times. They can't do enough for you.. If you need a pillow, you need a drink while your donating? They have no problems helping you out. While giving platelets, both your arms are restrained, I had a bad itch on my cheek. It was hilarious, one of the workers came over and scratched it. Lol. She got a damp towel and a dry one, she wiped my whole face down and then dried it good. I was embarrassed, but laughing at the same time. I laughed hysterically when she was done and looked at me with a smile and said "no extra charge" read more

Platelet. Donation. Takes about three hours start to finish. Until you can't move both arms for 2 hours, you'll never realize how much your nose itches! Great staff, very caring, very professional. read more

This is a great blood donation center! They specialize in platelets and plasma, but also accept whole blood donations. For platelets and plasma, they have tvs set up and dvds you can watch, while you're waiting for your donation to finish. Helpful, friendly staff, and a large, clean environment in a central location. Definitely recommend! read more

I decided to donate blood for the first time after passing by here once. Since they are only open till 1:30pm I always had a hard time finding the time. I finally made it here and the lady at the front desk was really nice. The nurse however, I don't think she smiled once. Don't have a donor card or an appointment? No problem. I didn't have to go through any extra steps. The longest part of the whole thing was answering questions, which probably took 10- 15 minutes, and that also included testing my iron level, and blood pressure, etc. The initial act of giving the blood was really easy and only last about 7 minutes. She throughly cleaned the area before hand, and even had another nurse come over when she couldn't find a good vein. She also asked if she could place my bag of blood on my seat as she finished up the paper work. Snacks, and drinks were free, and they ask that you stay for 15mins and have a little something to make sure you're okay. read more