Oklahoma Blood Institute

The Oklahoma Blood Institute "bus" was at Scissortail Park. What an easy way to donate blood! The team was great! They were kind, efficient, checked in on me and making the donation process very positive. If you see the bus and it's been a while since you donated blood, sign up and do it today! You can make a difference.

So, I haven't been there in over 4mo. Here's why. 1. Treated rudely. Showed up for a scheduled appt., to none scheduled. I had scheduled because they had one of their gimmicks. They were rude, but said they could schedule me in, great. Sat for 5-10 in the waiting area, then was ushered into one of their steel framed glass boxes. The girl did not turn the card to indicate I was there. I sat there for 20 min. I had gone there after a long day of work, I left. Calls, constant calls. Told the scheduler about above incident. She apologized and said she'd reach out tho that location. I scheduled another appointment, this time they no longer had the pink lancers 21G but blue 18G, it felt like it ripped a chunk out of my finger! I asked them to be gentle, (I was shook up from being so violently jabbed) after the procedure the young man RIPPED/YANKED the needle out of my arm while holding the tubing. Thank really hurt!! I think he scraped inside the vein when he did this. I left feeling like a herd animal being picked and prodded. The calls continue... told them what happened and they said to ask for the supervisor and they would make sure it was done right. Email and calls, calls and emails, and on and on and on. I just started going to a new place and they are awesome. Turns out there's a girl there that worked for Blood Institute, she was assigned to a location over 2 hours away. She had to drive there's different back day after day, after working 12 hr days. Just awful to hear, but not surprised at all. Good riddance!

I once made the mistake of giving OBI my cellphone number. Once I realized my mistake, on the following visit, I said my cellphone was deactivated and gave them a new number; my Google Voice number. I love Google Voice. Why? Because: 1) When you get a call, it immediately sends it to voicemail. Sometimes that's useful when you need to give someone your number, but you want to make sure that you never actually pick up when that someone calls. 2) It transcribes (hilariously, and poorly) any and all voice-mails into emails and sends said poorly transcribed emails to me. Anyway, today something snapped and I decided to go through my Google Voice history just because. And here's OBI's voicemail history:- January 18, 2016- January 22, 2016- February 2, 2016- February 4, 2016- February 17, 2016- March 2, 2016- March 2, 2016 (again)- March 16, 2016- March 16, 2016 (again)- March 16, 2016 (again!)- March 18, 2016- April 1, 2016- April 15, 2016- April 29, 2016- May 3, 2016- May 4, 2016- May 11, 2016- May 11, 2016 (again)- May 12, 2016And these are just the transcribed messages that I didn't immediately delete (from 2016).I generally give blood every three to four months. Without being asked, I might add. But now... Now I'm actually considering never giving blood at OBI ever again. I guess that would make me a terrible person. Because after all, "The need for blood is constant" and there are people out there that need blood. But right now, I'm willing to potentially let someone die just to spite OBI. And yes, I've tried to have myself removed from the call-list, but it clearly hasn't worked.It's like I'm Bella, and OBI is Edward. But unlike the stupid book/movie series (that I know way too much about...), this obsessive relationship will not continue, and you will not get me pregnant with your half-vampire freak of nature baby! You can't have any more of me, Edward!P. S. If you decide to give blood at OBI, read my previous review on the overall process. After all, "The need for blood is constant." A quote that they take quite literally.

As a person volunteering my time and blood to help others I would hope that those who are taking my blood would be friendlier. The people on Portland gave the impression I was bothering them. I was stuck twice and I have good veins. They were surly at best. If I decide to give blood I will go elsewhere. They could work on their people skills. People don't look forward to being poked and a friendlier and more professional atmosphere would be welcomed.

I have donated blood once this year and when I returned to donate again I was Gobsmacked by my experience. I arrived and was interviewed by a lady wearing a dirty, black mask below her nose. Her nose ring was probably dripping it on her mask & did not notice it. It was disgusting. When I arrived at the donating chair the flobatomist could not find my vein. Which I do understand as I have tiny veins. He called over several other people to have a go at it. I said to the woman trying to find my vein that I was donating because I had heard on the news that we were short of blood in Oklahoma. Her response was "not really". I felt foolish for being there. Then she called someone else over to try & find the vein & she finagled around with great pain to find the vein. Finally I yelled (cursed, which I am not proud of) and told her to stop. Then they left the needle in my arm while they looked for a cotton swab. And the women just walked away and left it for the other woman. I did not get a chance to apologize for my language. Then I was told in no uncertain terms that I should not try this again. I felt defeated as I left with the tshirt (because he would not take it back). The tshirt that I did not earn, as I did not give blood.All in all it was a bad situation and I will never be back. I too volunteer for non-profits and I understand it is hard to work in challenging situations. But cleanliness and kindness should never be in short supply. I will also be stopping all future Blood Institute, blood drives from my buildings. I am sorry to see such a noble effort fall so far from the goal.

I have heard all the excuses....I don't like needles...it takes too long...and now...they call me too much. No one likes needles....there are several giving options available that can fit your time constraints....you can schedule your own donations and the only call you will get is a reminder the day before your appointment. Fact is...I may be the one needing blood, platelets, or plasma one day. We all need to step up to help those that have a need today. The folks at OBI are caring, considerate, and professional. I can't thank them enough for all they do.