Canadian Blood Services, Edmonton

I had my 7th blood donation at Canadian Blood Services on 2023 08 23. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. There are a multitude of drinks and snacks to enjoy after your blood donation. The process is easy, and the needle really feels like a short lived small mosquito bite. I have never felt dizzy or faint afterwards. The process takes perhaps 8 minutes at most. And the whole process is quite thorough. There are many cushioned seats to sit on while you wait for your name to be called. There always seems to be parking available. I originally got started donating blood by calling the phone number of Canadian Blood Services and they talked me through everything I needed to know. I wish I could donate blood more often 🙂

I have donated blood 5 times, last night would have been my 6th, though I hadn’t donated in some time. I became slightly light headed when donating so they stopped my donation, which was fine. It seems I may not have hydrated enough throughout the day. I can appreciate this, however the manner to which I was treated around this was quite off putting. I enjoyed everyone I had an encounter with, except one woman nurse specifically who had been the one to stop the donation came off quite patronizing to the point where it made me feel bad about donating. I thought it was in my head but then as I was leaving I overheard another woman voicing the same thoughts to the group she had came with about the same woman as she also had to stop her donation. We talked about how she brought up that our blood was going to get thrown out, which, did we really need to know? Just how we were talked down to about it left a bad taste in both our mouths. I felt as if I was being interrogated as to why I wasn’t prepared enough. It was very matter of fact and dismissive. I am trying to do a good thing, and somehow I was made to feel bad about it. A simple, thank you for your effort but unfortunately we are concerned for your well being so will have to stop or something along those lines would have sufficed. I also get making the person aware of how they could be more prepared, but it was the tone and demeanour that was taken. To the point that I am still thinking about it the next day and thought I should leave a review so this can be considered and addressed for future donor's. Your daily frustrations and attitude should not be reflected onto someone that took time out of their day and is just trying to make a difference.

5 stars to the nurse who screened me here and also to the kind security person who always greets people. 2 stars only to the nurse/phlebotomist who has a long artificial nails, because she didn't wear gloves through out my blood donation process. And she left my L-arm bleeding (a little) for the whole week. Wanting to go back for my 4th donation but I'm a little scared now.

I recently had a positive experience with Canadian Blood Services, and I want to express my appreciation for their exceptional service and dedicated staff. The facility was well-organized, and the staff exhibited professionalism, warmth, and efficiency throughout the entire process. From the moment I arrived, the team made me feel comfortable and valued as a donor. The commitment to safety protocols was evident, providing a reassuring environment. Kudos to the Canadian Blood Services team for their outstanding service and for making the donation experience not only seamless but also genuinely positive. It's heartening to see such dedication to a vital cause. I wholeheartedly recommend Canadian Blood Services to anyone considering blood donation.

I was very disappointed with my visit this evening. Everything was fine until I got into the chair to “roll up my sleeve” if you will. The phlebotomist was preparing my arm to find a vein and making me squeeze the stress ball a few times she told me that she needs a second opinion. She called over another worker and she attempted the same protocol. After a few attempts, the second lady tells me I cannot donate because she is new and cannot find a vein and told me to rebook my appointment and left it at that. I was frustrated and shocked because I find such importance to donate blood, especially when I have family members who rely on donors such as myself. I have to travel to get to this clinic, so it is not easy for me just to “rebook”. This would have been my 8th time donating, so I know the importance of hydration three days prior to the appointment and all the other necessary precautions. Canadian Blood Services call me restlessly to donate because I am a universal donor and they always state that they are in desperate need to sustain the stock of blood, but here am I a universal donor denied donating because the phlebotomist could not find a vein. I was never even poked with a needle nor was a more experienced member of staff called over! I will find it very hard to book an appointment after is dismal experience.