Stopped in today to donate blood at one blood downtown Bradenton building walked in at 3:50 door…read morewas unlocked, but the receptionist told me that she could not take my blood today because it takes like 40 minutes and they would be closed. I'm not sure if she wanted to make sure she got off of work at 4 o'clock. But if they don't take you at 3:50 then they should lock the door earlier so you cannot enter the building. very disappointing.

I've been donating blood here for years. For a long time, I was a whole blood donor, but in the…read morepast 6 months or so, I switched to platelets. Reasoning is simple - when I donate whole blood, I am inactive for a week or more. Can't go on long runs, can't go to the gym. It exhausts me so quickly. That wasn't a problem in the past when I was fat and lazy. However, now that I am fat and active, I need quicker recovery. Platelet donation is awesome because recovery is really fast. While you can't do any exercise the day of the donation in order to let the hole in your arm heal, you can pretty much do anything the next day. All the red blood cells that are taken out to get at the platelets are pumped back in and so, you don't lose any of your little oxygen transportation boats. What? Isn't that what red blood cells are? Essentially, the oxygen shipping industry of the human body. Another plus is you can donate much more often - every week if you want but I think they prefer every 2 weeks. I might be making that up...assume I'm making that up. Anyway, the downside of platelet donation is the time. Depending on how many times you've donated, and how recently, the donation can take 2 hours or more (not including intake time). The more often you donate, the less you can donate each time, until you reach your maximum in a given period (I think it works out to 24 times per year, but again, don't quote me). Therefore, each subsequent donation takes less and less time. The Manatee Blood Center is a good one. All of the staff and technicians are very friendly and do everything they can to make your donation easy. The donation beds are very comfortable and for those of you doing long platelet donations, Netflix is available for your pleasure. They have snacks and beverages for you during or after your donation - cookies, chips, crackers, juice, soda, powerade, water, etc. I'm taking a star off for two reasons. One, the intake is probably the most painful part - it takes forever to get the donation started. From the time you walk in until the needle in your arm is easily 30 minutes - sometimes more if the platelet machine isn't ready. There's material to read, questions to answer, vitals to read, your arm to prep, etc etc. I know it's all necessary, but sometimes the staff setting you up for the donation seem to take their time - like you have all day. If I am going to be stuck there for 2 hours plus the 15-20 minute intake questionnaire, the least you could do is hurry up getting the donation started...within reason, of course. Don't accidentally stick the needle where it doesn't belong. Also, they have had some technicians in the past who aren't great at finding the vein. This is a rare problem, and was understandable when I was larger and covered in more layers of fat and rolls than I currently am. However, every now and again a tech will have trouble with my veins even now, and they shouldn't anymore. If you can see the vein without having to apply any pressure, then sticking it with a needle shouldn't be difficult. However, like I said, this is a rare problem, and although it does happen, that shouldn't make nervous donors avoid this center. They are mostly very good and chances are they won't cause you any discomfort. So, come on down and donate. The life you save could be a complete stranger.

I hope this review helps you decide to donate blood here, too. Suncoast is a local non-profit…read moreproviding blood to local hospitals. Your donation will make a huge difference to local patients who need blood. Best of all it's easy to do and YOU get health benefits, too. The friendly office staff are also dedicated to this cause. Jen has been here for 15 years. Alyssa, the phlebotomist has been here for 7 years. You're in great hands. And gentle ones! You get a free health check up in the process and, once I finished my paperwork, it only takes about 20 minutes. Fact: I *hate* needles. Fact: You won't feel a thing. See the photo of my arm the morning after I donated blood. Yep, you can handle this. (-: What most people don't know is that donating blood gives the DONOR great health benefits. It's good for your heart and liver, reduces cancer risk and helps your community. Google this short article to learn more: "6 Surprising Health Benefits of Donating Blood" by Brianna Flavin. I began donating blood because my wellness doctor (K3 in Tampa) told me about the benefits. I'll be a regular at Suncoast now so maybe I'll see you there! PS - GPS had me driving all over the parking lot on the Target side. Suncoast Blood Bank is located by Publix, right next door to GNC.

I didn't want to leave a bad review but im doing this for the safety of everyone and for the office…read moreto ensure the safety of everyone who helps by donating blood. I had donated the blood at suncoast twice once at downtown location, one at this one. Came in the 3rd time to donate platelets at lakewood ranch. The nurse who was taking care of me didn't seem to be mindful right from beginning, wasn't friendly either. She had a wrong form for me to sign as well. We sat down for quick review like they normally do before donations. She puts the gloves on in the beginning of the process and starts typing stuff in on that same dirty keyboard everyone uses.(and NO i don't care if the keyboard is sanitized every day, which is 100% not) She then leaves out of the room to give me the right form i supposed to sign in those same gloves!!! Then she proceeds typing more on the keyboard in those same gloves!! Then she attempts to take a sample of blood from my finger in THOSE SAME GLOVES!! At that point i stand up and left! This is something people decide to do to help the community and technically putting their lives at risk if things aren't done the right way. Im not asking for politeness, but the professionalism!! I hope this gets to the right person and hope that that lady doesn't do this job anymore or been trained and does everything correctly!! Be careful people, its great to be a part of community and help and don't put your health at rick and pay attention to what's been done to your body. I been contemplating about leaving this review for over two months but after i talked to my friend who works at Sarasota memorial and he assured me that wasn't right i decided to say something for the best of everyone. Thank you.

OneBlood does a pretty good job with their blood mobile. The staff is pretty well trained and seem…read moreto know what they're doing. This was my second time giving blood with them. This most recent time, the check-in and administrivia process took quite a bit of time. A little over an hour before they actually stuck me. So, plan on an hour and a half if you'd like to donate. Still a very good thing to do.

I've been coming to this location for many years, and the service is consistently good. The staff…read moreare always professional, friendly, and efficient.

This time of year you like to give back and I can't think of anything better- the gift of life! I…read morehave a blood type only about 10 percent of donors have so today, I donated. Friendly staff, efficient and respectful- process only takes about one hour.

I have been donating blood, plasma an d double red blood cells here for almost 5 years…read more The staff is very friendly. The staff seems to enjoy what they do and the do it well. The process simple. Plus you can't expect to get blood or plasma is you never donate. If someone can give for you, you can give for someone else. Since you're going to give, give here.

I've been going to the Quest diagnostics location on Cortez Road in Bradenton, Florida for a few…read moreyears now. I've always been very happy with the service I received there. This location is very well organized. I always make an appointment and I never have to wait when I go there. I was there today and my phlebotomist's name is Courtney Q. She was absolutely fantastic. I liked that she was personable, professional, and very skilled. She made the experience completely enjoyable.

Routine Labwork done for Annual In-Network Physical (no medical issues, just routine annual labs) -…read moreyet Quest bills EXTRA for PSA test (and TSH test...). Routine labs that Quest bills EXTRA for - what a sucky company! In-Network Annual Preventative Labs are covered 100% by insurance per your paperwork, until Quest gets you in their door... then watch your mail for their bills!!!! I hope they burn in He l - l

DON'T GO TO THIS PLACE!!! I was at their Venice, FL donation…read morecenter on April 7. I was halfway through a platelet donation. I was holding my phone with my free hand looking at it. I have the accessibility setting set to flash when I get a text message. I'm hard of hearing and the flash alerts me to a text message. While I was on the chair minding my own business the girl I met at reception came over and was staring at me strangely. I looked up and asked here what was wrong. She accused me of taking a picture of her coworker. I showed her my picture file to prove I did not. She didn't bother to look at the phone and continued staring at me strangely. Then she told me I looked sketchy!!! I immediately told them to disconnect the lines and I wanted to stop donating and leave. Everyone in the place was looking at me like a pervert. I was there trying to do a nice thing and this is the way I was treated because I'm hard of hearing. I'd like someone to call me. I'm so angry over this. I might contact a lawyer and see if I can seek damages from the way I was treated and embarrassed.

As an experienced businessperson I appreciate ONEBLOOD/VENICE very much. Not the building or the…read moreequipment or the free cookies. Instead it is THE STAFF that is so helpful - so reassuring and so expert that brings me back - that I now have given platlets 6 time in the past 2 months. Olyesa, Annastasia and others are helpful, efficient and reassuring. From my time in business it is the people that are most important asset in any endeavour and this ONEBLOOD location has a great team.