Blood Centers of the Pacific

A few years have gone by and the place has really turned around. Now you can sign up for a donation appointment and fill in the questionnaire online (you must do it the same day you’re donating), and zip right through the screening process.
The computer problems are also over and the system works without any problems that we’ve experienced.
The only gripes are that after donation snacks still are basically packaged junk food and the coffee is via a K-​cup machine (ya, they’re popular, but the coffee they make is about as bad as a brown crayon tossed in hot water). That’s OK though as we’ve learned to bring our own snacks and we stick to the bottled water.
They also have great «Blood Hero» frequent donor awards. The give an extra bump to the rewards during slack times, like during the December Holidays. We recently scored a wonderful Amazon Gift Card as the result of a December donation.
Do yourself and your community a big favor, pay it forward and Donate Blood if you’re able.

It is always good to share a bit of yourself.
This is one place you can do that. The staff are skilled, thorough, efficient and friendly.
You can make an appointment online and fill out the questioner on line the day of your donation. That means there is no extra sitting around waiting.

I just wish it was still Blood Bank of The Redwoods.
It has been one problem after another. During the transition, all my previous records were lost. I started giving in 1966 and it was a great disappointment
to me as I believe in this program.
I am walk-​in and it was never a problem with BBoTR, but now the wait is long and I had to walk out for another appointment that was in 2 hours.
For the past 2 ½ weeks I have been getting e-​mails saying the supply was low and they needed my blood. They even have a contest going.
The latest e-​mail was this past Sunday so being a good person and in the
holiday spirit I went down to donate.
The sign on the front door said” Whole Blood closed from ¹²⁄₇ through ¹²⁄₂₀. What’s wrong with this picture. They ask for my blood but won’t take it at one if the busiest times of the year. Two other people also read the sign and left in disgust.
I called their office and they said they were in training and if I could find a blood drive mobile unit, I could donate. That’s BS!!!
After 29 gallons I think giving blood is the right thing to do but Blood Centers of The Pacific is doing it wrong.

One star for incompetence and wasting an hour of my time. The staff was friendly, but was unable to seat me in a timely manner. Once I was seated, they were unwilling to perform the phlebotomy for my donation due to time constraints. Recommendation: If you can’t accommodate blood donors in a timely manner, turn them away rather than wasting their time. Make sure there are plenty of working staff on hand to minimize donor wait times.

I have been here more times than I can count. I can always depend on the staff to ensue I am taken care of when donating. They offer an iPad with Netflix and free wifi. The only thing negative I have to say is about the 1 800 number. They call frequently to setup another donation with I don’t mind but they once said I was eligible when I wasn’t and I came in and was turned away. They offer refreshments and gifts regularly. I love this place.

They have stepped up the game and I love them. The staff is super freidnly and they treat you right.
Making an apt is easy… in and out on time. Staff is friendly and fun to work with. I love the redesign. Using netflix now for movies is awesome.
The check in tablet is kinda lame… they could use ipads. other than that it’s awesome. Support your blood drive!

This review is from the donor’s perspective.
I’m an old Sonoma County Community Blood Bank /​Blood Bank of the Redwoods donor.
After 20 gallons of whole blood, they asked me to consider apheresis. So, I’ve been doing that a while.
After 5+ gallons (40+ donations) of platelets (usually triples) and sometimes a plasma or red cells, BBR got taken over by BCotP.
Generally, the whole process is running quite smoothly. I get appointments set a year in advance by the staff. (The online scheduling should be extended to apheresis.)
The new computer tablets for putting in the questionnaire work fine.
The staff is friendly, pretty efficient and helpful. They’re doing a great job!
Since we’re on the apheresis machine for 1−½ to 2 hours, we often have a drink at the donation station — but they need some sort of cup holder. I’m always worried about a big mess in the middle of the donor area.
OK, as discussed by another reviewer, the snacks could be upgraded.
The rewards program works well — so we’re never out of ice cream at our house. It is hard, though, to tell if there is a promotion going on. A couple of times, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by an extra reward of points!
Keep up the good work!