Canadian Blood Services

never had a problem there. an hour of my time is nothing compared to saving the life of a person who can make a difference some day to someone, CARMA someone like you might save your life someday,

I donate plasma. I’ve been here 5 times so far for plasma donations in the last few months since I switched over to doing plasma. When you donate plasma you can donate every 7 days, and get to know some of the staff there a bit.
The staff are nice and efficient. I get some yummy cookies and drink soda for the few times a year that I do that. They sometimes serve soup in the post blood donation area on the second floor.
I’m hoping they have some crave cupcakes for me. I’m donating tomorrow and will be looking for them.
Somewhere, someone has benefitted from my donation. It makes me feel like I’ve done a good thi

They are always professional and thank you for coming. Plus who can argue with cookies by George or Crave Cupcakes? The only thing stopping it from being 5 stars. It takes about an hour and a half beginning to end which seems to be a lot of waiting at checkin and pre-​screen. Also parking. Used to be 2 hour street parking now it’s all park plus. A little annoyed to have to pay for parking to make a donation.

I went to give blood today! yay me!
It doesn’t hurt at all really. the finger prick hurt worse haha.
I came in a little nervous and anxious even but they kept an eye on me making sure I was okay. I had like 5 apple juice boxes and a crave cupcake… and watched the hockey game! not to bad!
at home relaxing now as ordered oh yeahhh ! Excuse to not do anything the rest of the day!
I will be back again because it makes you feel good for doing it! Even if I was shaking the whole time ahah.

I just had my second appointment with the service last Friday (and I got my donor card a month ago, yay!). The entire experience was great and painless, with one complain being that the duration was too long; it took up almost 2 hours of my time.

Crave cupcakes after donating blood? See you again in 56 days.
Well if there’s one thing everyone enjoys after donating blood, it has to be eating and drinking. Now if you upgrade that to eating Crave cupcakes, then you definitely have me paying attention. I couldn’t have been happier after seeing those cupcakes when I got out of the chair and that prospect will bring me back to this location every time.
I suggest making an appointment (you can do it online after your first time) and remember that they’re open late from Monday to Thursday.

Veins and arteries terrify me. I don’t mind needles at all, but I hate when people are feeling around for my veins and having something stuck in it for an extended length of time.
How can you really write a bad review of CBS. There’s out there to do a good thing. You get free soup and unlimited Peek Freens (my fave) and juice boxes. Lately the wait time has gotten a little unreasonable, with them changing the process from the nurses putting the stickers on the blood bags at the interview portion rather than the blood draining portion of the visit. But going early in the morning or later in the afternoon will help. One thing to keep in mind (and the MOST important) is that soup doesn’t start getting served until 10am!
I think they do their best to make it as easy as possible to donate blood, including sending out blood buses and easy-​to-​book appointments, etc. The nurses et al are polite and friendly and really monitor you to ensure that you’re feeling okay.

How have I not reviewed this yet? Weird.
I’ve been giving blood for about 4 or 5 years now, minus a year I took off while testing to be a living donor. I’ve always come to this location. Initially it was through my former employer, and CBS would sent a bus over to pick up 4 – 6 of us every month (you can donate every 56 days so we had two alternating groups that would go). The staff who helped me set up the appointments for my workplace were always super helpful. One came and did a lunch and learn even to help us recruit more donors. She was really professional and friendly.
More recently I’ve been going on my own on Saturdays (I have a new job). Just like my weekday visits, the staff who take you through the process are friendly, professional and they even remember you (well some do) from visit to visit. You can set up an appointment online, over the phone or in some cases you can walk in (as long as they aren’t too busy). The parking is free (just remember to sign the book in the lobby).
And yes, there are cookies, sometimes Crave cupcakes, tea, coffee, juice, soup and other snacks to have after you’ve donated. Not sure if you are eligible? Call them and ask but don’t try to decide that on your own.
In addition to whole blood, they have other donation programs you can check out depending on the time you have to spare.
Approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. In fact, according to a recent poll, 52 per cent of Canadians say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products for surgery or for medical treatment. I know when my dad was terminally ill with cancer blood transfusions allowed him to have a better quality of life and more time at home with us. You never know if/​when you might need some yourself.

This place is great, I always feel leaving like I’ve done my good deed of the day! They always do all those extra little things to make sure you’re feeling well when arriving, while donating and when you’re getting ready to leave. I feel so great after reaching milestones such as 10x, 25x & recently 50x & they get so excited too! The food afterward is always worth it too. Occasionally you will get somebody who will jab you with the needle, but after 50 pokes the percentage is still quite low. More people need to do this and «it’s in you to give» what better way to help out wihout having to open your wallet! and save a life instead!

Donating blood is not so scary, however the nurses will sure treat you terribly if you do something wrong!
I went in to donate this morning, with an appointment, I checked in, sat for a few minutes, got my finger pricked, answered my portion of the yes/​no questionaire and then sat and waited to be called in. You need to put your donor card in the box. Well I put my card in incorrectly. When they called my name ahead of someone else who was ahead of me, I piped up and said I must have put it in wrong because I am not next. The other donors thanked me for being honest, the nurse however felt the need to reprimand me for doing it wrong! After sitting for 45 minutes (I now lost my spot because the nurse put me last) I finally get called into the room for the second portion of the questionaire. The nurse started asking the questons, and then asked if I ate, I answered yes, a late breakfast, my appointment was at 10:50, She once again reprimanded me for not following direction and eating right before coming! Well I had eaten right before coming, but it is a long journey for me to drop off my kids then drive downtown, and then I waited an hour to be called in. The nurse then made a comment about a tim hortons coffee and bagel not being enough! I felt completely judged!
For this being a volunteer donation, you’d think they would treat their donors much better! I had full intentions of donating every few months and now I have no plan to ever go back!

The thought of donating blood truly sucks for many people, but when you’re on site, staff do the best they can to make you feel like a rock star. Compliments, encouragement and goodies, oh my!
After my first visit, I felt bad that I hadn’t been going regularly because there is such a need. Ignoring their phone calls and advertising is easy to do, but you won’t regret putting in the effort once you go.

Where can you go for free cookies and Crave Cupcakes AND to save three lives? Why, to Canadian Blood Services to donate blood of course.
The staff at CBS are always super friendly. If you’ve never donated before, here’s what you can expect:
1. Sign in at the front desk. You’ll need photo ID.
2. Next your blood will be tested to ensure it has enough iron. You’ll get your finger pricked and then the blood is tested in this little blue machine.
3. Then you’ll answer some yes/​no questions on a sheet.
4. From here, you’ll hand in the little card they gave you at the start. Now you wait until it’s your turn. Eat some free cookies and juice.
5. You’ll be taken to a private room with a nurse. She’ll take your blood pressure and ask you some more questions to ensure your blood is safe for them to use.
6. When you’re ready, a nurse will lead you to the donating blood area. There are around 6 or 7 chairs here I think. All you’ve got to do now is let the nurses do their work.
7. Once you’re done, you get to head on over to the recovery/​refreshment area. Eat some free refreshments (note: Crave cupcakes not guaranteed: p) and have a drink. When you’re ready, head on home.
See? Not so scary. And all the while you’re doing it… just think, one donation can save three lives. You’re a hero :).

I am the biggest wuss you will ever meet, and the thing that gets to me most is needles. I go white and tense at the sight of anything pointy and meant to pierce skin, so the reason why I have been a regular blood donor for years has been a mystery to everyone. It is a combination of goodwill and cookies.
Canadian Blood Services helps supply the needy in Canada with usable blood, and they always need more. I have one of the most common blood types, so anything I can spare is important. The whole process is pretty simple and takes about an hour. First, they test your hemoglobin. Then you fill out a confidential questionnaire which you go over with a nurse in a private room, where they test your temperature and heart beat. The whole process is incredibly respectful of your privacy while also ensuring that you are a suitable donor. Finally, if all things are go, you are led to a comfy armchair and set up.
The last part is the one I have issues with: giant wuss, right! But everyone is always considerate and playful, and they check up to make sure you are ok. Most of the time, the process is super smooth, and after a few minutes they unhook you and you get to enjoy some soup, cookies and coke and juice after. It’s pretty sweet, honestly. And so, every few months you’ll find me at the Blood clinic, trying not to faint. Oh yeah.