Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I never thought of donating blood as volunteering - duh!! I've been a regular donor for 16 years.

I don’t consider it volunteering. I find it odd that it would be included.

DP. I do double red donations once about every three months (minimum of 112 days between donations), and each time I do it I spend nearly three hours in the blood donation center. How is that any less volunteering my time than if I were assembling sandwiches for a soup kitchen?

Why are you spending 3 hours there?? You're exaggerating. Whole blood collection takes about 10 minutes, the entire process takes about 45 - 60 minutes depending on your wait. DRBC takes about 45 minutes for collection (and if you take too long, they can't use it - same as whole blood), and shouldn't take much more than 1.5 hours including the health history and waiting in the hospitality area.

I work in a blood center and think it's AWESOME that you give DRBC, but don't exaggerate how long it takes because you turn off other people to considering it. My guess is you're counting door to door time including the drive or commute to the center or mobile drive site.

I spend nearly three hours there because the Red Cross blood donation center in Merrifield is incredibly slow. No matter what time I make my appointment, they're usually running at least 30 minutes behind, but I usually get there 5-10 minutes early so I don't set back their schedule. Then health history and waiting until they have someone free to get me started (these two together can easily take another 30 minutes). Then about 10 minutes to get it started, up to 45 minutes to do the donation (so now I'm at 2 hours), and then by the time they let me get up to get something to eat, I eat, and make sure I'm not feeling lightheaded before getting in the car, I'm up to at least 2.5 hours. Any additional delay in the process and then we're at the "nearly three hours" I originally referenced. Any other rude and inaccurate commentary?