Red Cross Blood Donor Center

I LOVE coming here to donate. Everyone is so friendly and does their utmost to make sure that donating is as comfortable and as smooth a process as can be. They remember you and treat you like family if you become a regular donor and it really makes my time in the chair worth it– you know, aside from the whole «saving lives» thing.
I have been donating at this location since well over 2 years ago, and have made apheresis (platelets and/​or plasma) donations on a regular basis here.
The problem with a lot of blood drives, is that they want you to donate and leave them be. It’s all business (which, dont get me wrong, is not bad in and of itself) and you dont get that personal touch from the folks pulling out your sangre for 2 plus hours.

I was heartbroken that the Escondido location was relocating out in Kearny Mesa area around March 2013. I loved all the girls & of course helping donate Platelets every 2 weeks. It’s always gratifying to help others.
I finally got time to start donating again & it’s perfect that it’s on days I can come by. (Mon, Fri, or Sat) Great to talk to Angela, who’s always friendly to make appointments with, & set up an appointment for platelets that I do. She spoke about how I’m going to love the new facility & that it’s great to have a diverse range of people come in. So now she’s got me all excited to donate & see all the wonderful ladies again.
It’ll be a drive but it’s worth giving to others that is in more need. Every 2 weeks wouldn’t be so bad anyways. The company of the ladies makes it a great trip down. So I can’t wait to see them tomorrow after such a long absence of donating.
Please come & donate if it’s either whole blood or apheresis/​platelets. Whole blood doesn’t take any longer than 5min. As for apheresis/​platelets, you’ll need to make an appointment. Also, ask to see if you can qualify to give. I doubt they’d turn you away though. Keep in mind, that donation will take to 1−2hours. They set you up in comfy chairs & you get to pick your choice of movies to keep you occupied. After all donations, they do give you your snack/​drink. They even send you home with free items like: food/​event certificates, t-​shirts, and/​or enter to win prizes! So don’t hesitate to donate now!
****UPDATE:
So the only problem is finding this location! I wish they’d put out a sign telling everything to go further into the parking lot before you see it. Unfortunately, they can’t since the other businesses in the area don’t allow it unless it’s in front of your business. So do drive all the way in & at least you’ll see their American Red Cross sign.
It was so great to see all the same wonderful ladies working in this location from the Escondido one. They all love being in this location since the place is brand new & a lot more space! A lot of them commute from south SD so it’s better for half of them. So as long as they are happy. Come on they better be since they are sticking your arm! Haha just joking!
I made an appt but still had to wait. I didn’t mind it since I didn’t have to rush anywhere & I was there to donate platelets. As for the wait for whole blood, it was pretty quick & simple as usual.
As soon as they call you, they bring you in the room to check your BP, Temp, & prick your finger to check your iron levels. After that you do a quick questionnaire on the computer. After everything is good, you donate whole blood of platelets.
I did plasma/​platelets. They let you pick your movie & get you comfy in the chair. It took me an hour & a half.
After that they give you drink/​snack & keep you around for at least 10−15min. It was sweet of them to give me plenty of long sleeve & t-​shirts. I pretty much collect them. Haha they just reminded me to call to make another appt in 2weeks with Angela.
So overall experience, it’s an 11! Haha I love the staff & the new location now that I got time to donate again. So pls stop by & donate. You can save a life!