I've donated at this center many times and it's always been fine. However, my last visit, I went in for a scheduled appt, I waited 45 min before I was brought back. I knew immediately something was wrong because it hurt so badly. The phlebotomist who worked on me blew my vein and claimed he 'had to go through scar tissue' to get the needle in, so that's why it hurt. He then proceeded to 'move the need to the left' (again, unusually painful), had to get his supervisor multiple times, and did such a poor job the blood flow stopped entirely about halfway through. They kept trying to move the needle, but it was so painful, I asked to stop. I had immediate bruising that is still present 7 days later. I understand that many of the employees are young and gaining experience, but feel management should be monitoring their new folks more closely to ensure they don't lose donors due to painful experiences. read more

I am completely shocked by the phone call I received from a red cross worker this evening. I have never needed to ask for assistance from this or any organization, but the propane has been shut off in my mobile home park for 8 days now after one of the homes in the park blew up and burned down. They had to shut off propane to the entire mobile home park to check everything to make sure it is safe to turn back on. They don't seem to be anywhere near being able to turn it back on and I have had to spend well over my budget just to get a motel room for my family of 4 to be able to take a shower and wash our hair only twice so far. When the female called back, she said it is past the deadline to get financial assistance but she could maybe get me referrals to take a shower at a truck stop (saying some will only charge $15.00 dollars for a shower. I live in colorado springs, colorado, and as far as I know there are not any truck stops anywhere near where I live even if I was compelled to go to a truck stop to take a shower. I am certainly glad I do not make donations to the red cross, I am totally taken back that someone who is supposed to help people would recommend something that could put victims of disasters in potentially more peril. I have stopped at truck stops in the past on a road trip to florida and just that experience would never encourage me to go to one of those to take a shower and she made it sound like a generous offer to pay $15.00 dollars for a shower x 4 people. It only cost a few dollars more than that to get a motel room and you can get a motel room down the road and not have to drive 60 + miles each way! Wow!! Disappointed in an organization that claims to help disaster victims. Sad and disgusting! read more

I spent $75 out of my own pocket to get this certification for a job. Then I come to find out that I cannot use it because it's apparently not for Health Care workers so I had to take another class that was. I called them to ask them why is my card not being accepted and I was told there has been similar complaints but basically I'm stuck with a useless certificate that I came out of pocket for. read more

I was excited to finally enroll in the Pet First Aid course offered by the American Red Cross. I'd made this a priority in Ithaca but the class was never offered, so I was greatly enthusiastic to be able to take the class here in Denver. I was happy to find that the Red Cross had their own parking lot. I arrived a good half hour early and the instructor wasn't far behind (with the dinner she was trying to eat between commuting from work and the class). We chatted for a small bit about pet sitting and her pet sitter, and then other members of the class showed up. I was dismayed to find that the majority of the class time was spent watching a video that was at least 5 years old (probably 10). Class participants are given a book with the information included in the video, although we did find several parts that conflicted the movie. When it was time to practice administering make-shift muzzles, the instructor pulled out the pet dummies, which were all old - some of them were actually only stuffed animals and not the "breathable" practice dummies made specifically for the course. Many of the dummies didn't work, (i.e. when you breathed into their nose it did not inflate the lung) and had tears in the "fur." Even worse, the instructor didn't know how to make the muzzles. She tried for about 5 minutes to construct the make shift muzzle with gauze for short-nosed pets (cats an pugs, french bulldogs, etc.) and GAVE UP, admitting that she didn't know how to do it. I was really shocked at this. The instructor also mentioned that even though she teaches the class, she does not have pet first aid kits in her home or car. While I understand this (most people don't have either), it was pretty unprofessional to admit it. In May, the class will likely be broken into two sections, one for cats and one for dogs, which new books that include a DVD. While I don't mind the $50 donation I made (mandatory) for the class, I was very unhappy with the experience in general. I do feel like I learned from the class, but felt that the instructor, video, and practice dogs could have been much improved upon. read more

I recently took a trip here to complete a CPR/AED class and it was really cool! I hadn't been to this facility before and it was pretty easy to get to downtown. The building's exterior seemed to be a bit older, as the organization has been around for a while. I love the old school look though, I think it gives character to the building. It is honestly very pretty! The interior of the building was clean and organized as well. I wish I had remembered the name of the professor I had for this class I took, but I forgot. He was very sweet though and I learned a lot about the course and felt that I would be prepared if I had to save a life in danger! Parking was also not an issue, as this organization has private parking for guests who are visiting. That is always nice, especially downtown! read more

Bad bad bad bad please don't go here! I took BLS class with a trainer Named Katherine A. she make you feel stupid instead of helping you.. I noticed she picks on ppl she doesn't like and makes something simple very complicated! Not just that price here is up to $95 and they kind of look for excuses to failed you and ask you to take a 2nd class and pay again. Please go to Colorado Cardiac CPR any office they are way better! Real People who explains things way better! And not just that for way less $ $65 they answer your questions and help you until you do it right!! You wont regret it! Don't waste ur $ like I did.. read more

Do NOT take any courses from them!! I signed up for a class through them in August and completed the class at the Denver location. The instructor said to expect our certificates within 48 hours via email. Mine never came. I called them and filed a case and no one could give me any answers for weeks. I would talk with one person and they would promise to follow up with me once they knew more and then NOTHING! I kept having to call in and start over at square one because no one ever got answers and reached back out to me. I had all my case numbers, course numbers, etc. to reference everything but never got anywhere. Finally they refunded the class, but I still didn't get my certificate. They said they would get in touch with the instructor of the class to confirm my attendance and get my certificate but never did. I called and called and called and everytime was told they were working on it and would call me when they resolved it. Weeks later I would call back in since I never heard from them. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. I needed my certificate for a job and never got it. Don't rely on them to get you what you paid and worked for. I'm STILL waiting on a call back from them and it's OCTOBER! I'm turning to leaving multiple reviews now because I can't seem to get anywhere going to them. This is a major dis satisfier. read more

Signed up for a class at a library in Lone Tree. Got to the class only to find out Red Cross had given everyone the wrong location. Drove a half hour to the other location, where there was no instructor. We were first told that the instructor had left to go to the Lone Tree location to find everyone. Then, after waiting 1.5hrs after the scheduled time, we were all told we should probably leave. No one could reach Red Cross to help us, including anyone at the facility we were waiting at. I finally reached someone at Red Cross later in the day and was told they would only reschedule us, and not offer any sort of compensation for wasting 3hrs, and an hours worth of driving. I didn't even get a simple apology. Requested a refund and will NEVER sign up with them again. Keep in mind, if you are the one canceling or rescheduling, you will pay a fee for it! Apparently they can just not show up and that's fine with them. read more