Dr. Charles Drew Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center

I showed up for my appointment and had to wait for 1hr 45 min just to be screened. What’s the purpose of scheduling appointments if you aren’t able to assist volunteers at the time you tell them to come in? Feels pretty inconsiderate to my time. I’d love to donate blood to help those in need, but not like this.
Sep 17th, 2021

Had the worst experience . My appointment was at 2.30pm on a Sunday. I checked in at 2pm and waited for 2 hours. TWO hours ! They are either under-staffed or over- booking the appointments. After two hours, I was turned away as I wasn’t eligible. Would have saved time if they check the eligibility at the time of check-in ..Either ways, wasn’t a good experience. Hope they sort out the waiting issues as it looks like I am not the only one with this experience .
Sep 14th, 2021

I’m thoroughly disgusted that my time was wasted in an attempt to donate blood platelets. After waiting 35 minutes to be seen, I was told there was not a blood pressure cuff large enough to take my blood pressure. How irresponsible for a medical facility to not service all body types. God for bid there was a medical emergency and my pressure needed to be taken and there was no cuff around to do so. Furthermore, there are multiple ways to assess an individuals blood pressure and multiple areas where it could be assessed. I will not be back and I do not appreciate my time being wasted due to the lack of resources in the nations capital. Additionally, I will not consider donating in the future as this has discouraged me from donating. As I’m sure there are other facilities who don’t have adequate equipment to suit all body types. There is a severe shortage in blood yet your facilities can’t operate fully. Absolutely deplorable.
Aug 25th, 2021

I’ve donated here twice. Every time I donated, my appointment didn’t start until wayyy past my appointment slot. My first appointment was 1.5 hours past my original time and my second, 45 minutes past my original time. Please be aware of this before you come in! Some of the staff were nice, but others seemed a little stressed and irritated. I want to keep donating blood, but the wait time is so so ridiculous that I can’t take off 3 hours from work just for this when it should only be like a one hour thing. On top of all this, the first time I went to donate, I couldn’t because I didn’t drink enough liquid beforehand. I had waited 1.5 hours only to be told to go home. They couldn’t have taken vitals first thing when we came in? This place is such a disaster.
Aug 10th, 2021

I read some of these reviews on here about a hour before my apt, and I was nervous bc most of them were negative. However, my experience of donating whole blood (July 1, a Thursday afternoon) was extremely great! I had to wait about 15 mins (which isn’t a big deal) but other than that, I have zero complaints. Very smooth process and friendly staff. I will be back to donate soon - even got a nice hat today. Thank you for a wonderful donating experience and your hard work!!!
Jun 19th, 2021