If you ever considered donating blood for cash, let me tell you what it is really all about.
I am currently laid off, and struggling to make ends meet. I found a ad in my local community paper offering $50.00 dollars to donate blood.
I thought right away, sure whats the catch? So I called Talecris Plasma center and asked how long it would take to donate this blood. I was told 3-31/2 hours. I thought ok, thats reasonable. So I went to their web site talecrisplasma.com. The web site reinforced the same thing I was told on the phone.in fact the site states 21/2 hours to donate.
So I headed down to the center, I went in threw the front doors, and found myself standing in garbage, yes inside the double doors. Papers, cigarette butts etc..
I finally made it to the front desk, and was told that it would take a few hours. I said what is a few hours? It was 8:30am. He said I could sign in and come back at 1:30 and I would be seen. I did that, which was about 10 miles from my home.
I arrived back at 1:30pm exactly. I had to stand at the desk for 15
Minutues, being ignored while the staff walked by numerous times as if I didnt exist.
Finaly, I was told it would only be a hour wait. I repeated back one hour? She said yes.
I sat for several hours, never being called. I watched all walks of life come threw the doors, the homeless, drug addicts, the mental ill. People were sleeping along chairs, loitering outside etc..
The entire facility is filthy. I mean dirty floors, garbage in and all over the lot. They do not disinfect the donation chairs after each use. The hazards garbage can is over flowing.
At one point I was required to read a book about their polices, have a booking photo, and finger printed.
I made sure that I met all the qualification required on their web site and in their book I had to read.
I sat for several more hours. I then had to go to the bathroom, but was told that I would be called for a physical any minute and I would be required to give a urine sample, and if I couldnt, I would have to come back the next day and start all over.
I sat for two hours, having to go to the bathroom but being told I cant because they will call me any minute. I like to add I was the only one left in the lobby at this time.
Finnaly, at 8:30pm, I am called for this physical. I was told it would take 45 minutes to complete the physical. 45 minutes? My back surgery didnt take that long.
So we go down the whole run down about my health, and I told them I take a prescribed pain medication for back problems. I was told then I could not donate because I take this medication.
I asked why they do not explain this on their site, or in their book. She said, because if we told people how long the process takes, and about the medication restrictions people would not donate and lie about their health. So in other words, we lie to get people in here, we could care less about your time and gas to come here.
The manager Cynthia Cummings, made no sense when she told me the person who said it takes 31/2 hours, was grossly mistaken on the phone. But their own web site back up this lie.
So I sat for close to 12 hours, treated like a criminal, or like cattle being hearded around.
This place has no regard for you as a person. They lie to get you in there, and the chances of actually donating are very slim. My 12 hours wasted was nothing to them.
I find it funny that they couldnt accept my blood, because I use a pain medication prescribed by a pain specialist, but they can use the blood of cocaine and herion users.
Do not waste your time, the $50.00 payment never happens, you will waste your entire day and be treated like a animal in their filthy rudown clinic.
I now see why they need donors so bad, who in their right mind, would ever subject themselves to this?
They need to get their act together, clean up that place, and start treating people like patients.
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