New York Blood Center

Find another place to donate blood in NYC.
All your good work is being negated each day that passes that you ignore your obligation to the chimpanzees you abused and then abandoned. The unethical and greedy decisions being made by the NYBC leadership will tarnish the organization’s reputation and eventually your ability to serve your continuency. You may think the world will just move on if you ignore the pressure long enough. It will not. You have turned into a battle what should have been a negotiation.

NYBC’s abandonment of the 66 chimps that made them a ton of money is absolutely unconscionable! Their «care» of them was bordering on animal abuse, not feeding them enough water and even when they were kicked out and essentially left for dead on the island in Libya. If that’s any indication how they treat these loyal souls, why on Earth would I want to EVER do business with them or anybody else for that ???

The New York Blood Center is a criminal organization that abandoned 66 chimpanzees with neither food nor water on a remote island in Liberia, after testing on them and infecting them with diseases for 30 years. They are a despicable, deplorable organization.

NYBC puts profit above compassion. Decision makers are unethical.

I wouldn’t trust these people with a peanut let alone blood or a life. They used Chimps for years in experiments, promised to care for them and then left them to die. I hope that they are brought up on animal cruelty charges because they are animal abusers! Totally unethical and I wouldn’t give them a dime. Shame on NY Blood Center.

The upper east center is too close to this one to justify not traveling a little further to avoid this center. The facilities are small and the staff leave a lot to be desired. (One got angry with me because my draw was running slowly; everyone wants to get home at the end of the day but I can’t will myself to bleed faster!) The toilets available to donors are also gross, and this is a necessary pre-​donation pit stop for all platelet donors. The facility is underground with low ceilings and feels like a dungeon. Just not worth it with the superior location a mere 11 blocks away.

Pretty good donation center, efficient if not overrun.
I’ve been donating blood since I was 19, following in my grandfather’s footsteps who gave 14 gallons, I’m at 6 gallons myself and have given it in NJ, MD, MI, CO, and NYC. Blood drives are great for coming to me, but I prefer the efficiency of a full location such as this one.
So I’ve come here 4 times, with 3 good experiences — the bad one was on Christmas Eve when it was really crowded. They don’t pay much attention to appointments, it’s a nice to have but not a priority for this location.
The bottleneck is when you get your tests done before giving, but the people are good and pretty efficient.
8 or 9 donation setups, with multiple spots for double red apheresis or platelet. Good staff, nice and efficient. They will try to get you to step up to a different level of donations than you normally do, especially when it’s emptier. But if you give a lot of blood, you know what you give and stick with it.
Net net, if you like to give blood then come here.

Donating is fairly similar at the various NY Blood Center locations. They mostly ignore you here so maybe go somewhere else if you are a nervous first timer.
But I avoid this location if given a choice because they are guaranteed to be playing a rotating collection of the absolute worst in American action movies on the single tv, which is way more painful then donating. If Day After Tomorrow and Pompeii don’t make your skin crawl and your eyes bleed, this is the location for you.

I have donated blood for many years at the Citigroup location as I work a few blocks away. I am blood type O-​, so they call me frequently. However, yesterday I donated platelets for the first time and will NEVER do so again. I am not cut out for it.
First of all, the caller from the blood center who wanted me to schedule an appointment for platelets misrepresent the time commitment and possible side effects. I was told it would only be an additional hour longer than donating blood. When I got there, they wanted to keep me until 3pm. I told them I had to leave at 2pm, so they dialed it back. Also, the form they have you sign lists a truck load of potential side effects including, «in rare occasions» death. I laughed and asked the staff if I should really sign this form!
The technicians at the blood center ranged from cold to wonderful. I especially want to thank Douglas Curry, who made me laugh, and Rashid who came to my aid when my arm starting ballooning. He rushed to my side and took the needle out of my swelling and aching arm. Others, whose names I didn’t get also were kind when I was fainting for the SECOND time.
Louise initially asked for a second opinion. I found her very cold at first, but she warmed up after I fainted, and as it turns out she was right. The side vein was not large enough to withstand the procedure. I don’t have any good large veins in my arms.
About twenty minutes before I was to complete the donation, my arms started really hurting, throbbing and burning and I could see it rapidly swelling. It looked like I had half a baseball in my elbow. Rashid rescued me and unhooked everything.
At that point I was nauseous and then started to faint. The technicians gave me special attention with ice packs and telling me to stay with them, which I really couldn’t do. They brought me some juice and I rested.
After sitting there for about 15 minutes after this fainting spell, I felt much better and walked to the juice and snack table. Once there, I suddenly felt horrible again. One of the workers noticed the look on my face and asked if I was okay. I told her I was going to faint again. She quickly got a wheelchair and they wheeled me back to try to put me in a bed. But I was fainting again and they were piling ice packs on me and talking to me. Douglas had to lift and put me on the bed.
It is now the next morning and I feel slightly weak, nauseous and have a mild headache. So, I know I am not built for platelet donations.
Some folks are. There was a gentleman who arrived when I did. He donated three bags, conducted business on his cell phone during the procedure and left with no problems. The staff said he donates all the time.
So, I am not writing this to discourage platelet donation, but to suggest: «to thine own self be true.» If you are not prone to fainting and are very sturdy, donating platelets is a great service.
As for me, I’ll stick to whole blood donations moving forward.
Grateful for the Citigroup Blood Center. Hoping Douglas is there to make me laugh when I return.

I come here to donate platelets on the regular because their location is convenient, they always honor my appointment time, and they know what they’re doing.
True, the staff could definitely use a refresher course in hospitality, but hey, this is New York. Get used to it.
Things like cleanliness, hours of accessibility and experience– especially when you’re pricking me with needles and such– rank higher in my book than the number of smiles you throw my way during the process.

This place is so close to subway, and they at least have enough machine for platelets donation. Staffs are friendly. Free WiFi has good signal and AT&T signal is kinda bad. Neg is that this place is small and crowded, all the magazines are too old for a 2-​hour long platelets donation, and they don’t have personal tv. However doing a good deed has no matter with the place. Bring your smart device with you otherwise you’ll get so bored during it.

As a person who enjoys donating a gratuitous amount of my A positive platelets every other week in RI, I figure I’ll do my part and support the state that I was born and partially raised in. The points incentive isn’t so bad either :).
Just in case people don’t know, platelets is different from donating whole blood in that it requires roughly an hour or more for a machine to take in your blood, separate the platelets and return the blood cells back. And since platelets regenerate pretty fast, people can donate as soon as 4 days after the donation and up to 24 times a year (since they do take some blood). They only last 5 days once they leave the body but they’re quickly used after testing to treat majority of cancer patients going through chemotherapy.
Pretty safe process and rules are pretty strict in the United States that all needles and tubing can NOT be reused. That’s what led to the HIV infection of hundreds of donors in China when the donation centers felt cheap and risked donors lives. Thankfully no cases has ever been reported in United States.
Anyway about the blood center. Located in the basement of the Citibank center and adjoins a subway stop. For me taking the 6 train and it takes about 15 minutes from Chinatown for me to reach this place so very fairly easy to get to. I come here on a weekend mostly so it’s pretty empty except for a few people sitting around doing work on laptop or reading a paper.
The same basic routine as most donations go which involves answering the standard questions, getting your blood tested as well as blood pressure and they’ll set you up in a square room that fits about 9 machines and 3 chairs for whole blood. They have a small TV that I rarely see them turn though my last donation one of the staff decides to play Airforce One.
Other than that it’s a pretty dull process as you sit there and wait for the machine to finish. You can watch the machine monitor which tells you when it’s drawing blood and when it’s returning. I learned that typical triple donors have the machine set to 10.3 — 11.3×100 ml. It’s a bummer that unlike RI, the chairs are not very comfortable and they don’t have any computers to keep donors occupied especially if I’m donating a triple unit of plates which takes about an hour and a half. My suggestion, bring a good book or a smartphone/​tablet with some entertainment.
At the conclusion you’re welcome to the table of snacks in another room which includes a Flavia coffee/​tea machine, bottles of water, juices and my favorite popcorn chips along with the usual pretzels and stuff.
I do agree with another reviewer that most of the staff are not particular attentive other than punching information into the machines and the computers and just glancing over once in a while when they’re not reading a newspaper or just talking with each other. I have to make a joke or say something to get them to acknowledge that I’m here to give away platelets to save cancer patients, though at least they give a lukewarm thanks once you leave.
They’re also pretty strict on donors for setting up appointments as I recall my second trip I couldn’t help but overhear one of the staff lecturing a donor about coming in on time though I can understand a bit about being punctual. In all three of my previous donations coming in at 9 — 10 AM I haven’t seen all the machines filled up so I didn’t think that was really warranted if they have donor willing to come in early morning with or without an appointment. My first time on a weekend was a walk-​in but I’ve been scheduling them online since then.
Another thing that does bite a little bit is the lack of food or beverages during the donation unless of course you have a dying need or about to pass out like I was the first time since I didn’t have a good breakfast. I didn’t understand why till one of the staff told me it’s a recent rule change after a donor threatened to sue at another NY donation center after he or she choked on some food. I don’t know the exact circumstances but that is a load of crap and I can only thank the idiot for ruining it for everyone else since the state of NY decided better to be safe to ban it then deal with another «nice» donor. Perhaps that’s the reason for the DMV feel of this place…
In any case, I’m still going to come here when I can on my weekends visiting family to help out. My platelets aren’t doing much of anything and I apparently have a high platelet count so I can donate three units with enough left over to spare. I say unless you have a rare blood type and O, donating platelets is an excellent alternative to whole blood. You don’t feel as tired and can donate more often. As of today I am proud to have donated about 11 times triple units of platelets this year alone.

I am trying to get into the habit of regularly donating blood. It’s the right thing to do and I’m a universal donor, so why the heck not?
The location is clean and easily accessible. My appointment time was respected. And because I’m a good bleeder, it took me little time to fill my baggie.
But how about a fucking smile, people? Seriously. The only thing I am expecting to get from a blood donation is some goodwill and some Oreos. Instead, I felt like I was donating blood at the DMV. The woman who took my blood pressure had all the customer service skills of a corpse. The tech barely talked before he stuck me.
I’m not donating blood for friendship, nor do I require a grandiose gesture of gratitude. And I will donate at this location again. But a little warmth goes a long way.

I came here to give platelets and had an excellent experience. This place, located right off the E train at 51^st/​Lexington, is clean and filled with friendly staff members. If you are donating platelets and will be sitting with a needle in your arm for two hours, the chairs are very comfortable and I love how you can watch on the monitors what is going on and how much time you have left.
People should donate blood more often, it is really the right thing to do. I hate when I hear the lamest excuse from people like «I don’t like needles.» Not many people really enjoy needles unless they enjoy doing certain drugs, so get over your little fear because it does not hurt. If you were deathly ill and the only way to save you is with medicine through a needle, are you going to tell the Dr that you won’t do it because you don’t like needles? NO, you won’t, unless you are insane, so using needles to donate blood should be no different.
But I digress. Once you finish doing a good thing, you can enjoy some snacks. But warm juice and only minimal variety? Kind of weak. I don’t drink juice really but I at least would like it to be cold.
I will definitely be back when I can donate again soon.

The location is convenient, right above Grand Central Terminal but the people working there can be rude.

For blood donation, this is just fine. Friendly people who just want to get the job done. Not overly warm area but who are we kidding here? Everything was easy and there were no hiccups and no waiting time. I went at about 6p on a Tuesday (I think).
Location is very convenient as well (right in Grand Central). I would recommend it if you keep getting harrassed by their call centers. Oreos and apple juice after do the trick!

if you go on the ny blood center website, they don’t give you a real address for this donation location. they merely say «53^rd street at lexington.» that can make the first one or two times you visit difficult. the actual center is located on the lower, lower level of the citi building. once you find it, it’s totally smooth sailing, however you should avoid the jelly bean candy jar that looks like its housing candies from the late 80s.
my last visit to this donor center didn’t go so well. what i mean to say is that i failed to qualify to donate due to low iron. i know, shocking right?! i mean — ME?! anyway, i was repeatedly told to «eat more hamburger» despite the fact that i repeatedly replied that i don’t eat hamburger. no other iron-​rich foods were suggested. apparently hamburger is the only thing that works.
i’ve given at this location in the past, when my blood was coursing with the rich meaty goodness of dead cows, and i had a great experience. and even this last time, the lovely woman testing my iron level asked me to have some juice and cookies before i left (did i perhaps look malnourished?). i think this is a great donation center, once you find it, and i am 100% in favor of blood donating. if you’re eligible and curious, this is an excellent spot to give it a go. you’ll be taken care of, and walk away with both the satisfaction of saving lives and a kick-​ass blood drop pin. win-​win.

I forgot to mention in my previous post:
I did not get to choose the color of my bandage. Having said that, the bloodsucker chose to wrap me up with this totally rad purple.
I was a little disappointed as I had my eye on the dodger blue, but the bloodsucker knew what she was doing! The purple totes completed my outfit and if the Sartorialist had been walking about, he obvi would’ve photographed me.
Donate blood and look all sorts of sexy. What’s not to like?

The New York Blood Center call me too much at work and on my cell phone to donate all the time. I’m special. They’re really nice whenever I get a time to donate. I getz Oreos and Apple Juice afterwards.
«What da fuck is apple juice Todd? I want that Apple Drank. mmmm… it’s Green» — Dave Chappelle
My blood type is AB+. The average percentage of Americans in the U.S. with AB+ is 3.4%, according to Wikipedia and other sources.
«People with AB+ type blood are universal donors of plasma, the liquid portion of blood. AB+ plasma is often used in emergencies, for newborns and for patients requiring massive transfusions.» — American Red Cross
«People with blood type AB are hard to categorize. They can have characteristics on both ends of the spectrum at the same time. For instance, they are both shy and outgoing. They easily switch from one opposite to another. AB people are trustworthy and responsible, but can’t handle it when too much is asked of them. They don’t mind doing favors or helping out, as long as its on their own conditions. People with this blood type are interested in art and metaphysics.
«AB is considered the worst blood type. In predictability-​loving Japan, they’re loose cannons. They also like to set their own conditions and reserve the right to drop out when things don’t meet their expectations. They’re known to be sensitive and considerate – at times – but it just isn’t enough to balance out the flaws in this blood type. For a while, some companies tried dividing their employees into work groups based on blood type, and no one wanted to work with the AB group. Animé villains are likely to be type AB.» — Japanese Animé Web-​Site
Told y’all I’m a FREAK.