where to donate blood

[createquilts]

We are moving in a few weeks and I wanted to find out where to donate blood. I have done red blood and apheresis for years and years but even called the red cross they could not give me any info or find a center closer than Jacksonville.

Anyone have any info?

[MLBellis]

In front of Wal Mart on 466 they have a bus you can donate or you can go up to Ocala near the hospital to donate.
441 North, turn right onto SE 17th (at the light near CVS on the corner) Turn Left onto SW 1st ave (at hte light) Pass the Hospitals...
Blood Bank will be on your left side.
1051 South West 1st Avenue
352-732–0175
Mon:8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tue:8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed:8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thu:8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri:8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat:7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sun:Closed

[ddan32162]

Florida Blood Centers, 1-888-9-DONATE, www.FloridaBloodCenters.org They have the big red bus and are in various places in and around The Villages, so you'll never have to travel very far.

[villager99]

i believe this is the contact info for the newest location of the florida blood bank in
The Villages
1550 Bella Cruz Drive
The Villages, FL 32159
Phone: 352-750-4088
Fax: 352-753-3141

[cathyw]

Here's a webite for local blood drives. There is a blood center on Bella Cruz Drive as villager99 mentioned. There are also several days each month when the Big Red Bus is located at either the Villages Regional Hospital, Sweetbay, Publix etc.
The website lets you search for upcoming drives and even lets you make an appointment.

https://www.fbcdonor.org/index.cfm?group=op&es=true

[createquilts]

thank you all so much. I can't believe the 800 Florida number did not have the great info you have all provided.

Ever since my nephew and his wife were almost killed by a drunk driver and needed blood I make it a point to not miss a donation appointment.

Thanks.

[Taltarzac725]

thank you all so much. I can't believe the 800 Florida number did not have the great info you have all provided.

Ever since my nephew and his wife were almost killed by a drunk driver and needed blood I make it a point to not miss a donation appointment.

Thanks.

Good for you. I have tried to donate every 8 weeks at least unless ill health prevents me from doing so.

The people at the Villages Florida Blood Center location are very friendly and professional. If you give platelets or something that takes a longer time they have a bank of TVs as well as a DVD you can make selections from. http://floridasbloodcenters.org/

Life South also has blood mobiles that come to various parts of the Villages. http://www.lifesouth.org/

[Grill Meister]

We are moving in a few weeks and I wanted to find out where to donate blood. I have done red blood and apheresis for years and years but even called the red cross they could not give me any info or find a center closer than Jacksonville.

Anyone have any info?


There is the Big Red Bus with a location on the north side of 441; however, I go to LIFESouth in Ocala. I donate platelets every other Tuesday and travel to Ocala rather than donate in The Villages for several reasons:

(1) LIFESouth provides all hospitals in this area, including the VA hospital and clinic (I'm not certain that the center in TV provides to the VA....don't think so)

(2) I went over to the TV center and they acted if they could not care less whether I donated or not (was not at all happy with the nonchalent attitude)

(3) and most important, to me, the personnel at LIFESouth in Ocala are like family. They are always upbeat, greet you like you're the most important person in the world and really attend to you while you are donating. I cannot praise them highly enough.

You can call (888) 795-2707 or web site Welcome to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers (http://www.lifesouth.org)

I gave whole blood my last visit so my next appointment is not until October 23, but I will even drive you over there so you can see how great these people really are.:clap2:

You wanna ride with me? gilmermurray@yahoo.com

[createquilts]

GrillM, thanks for the offer. I am not eligible until Oct 28 or 29 to donate again. I don't mind going to Ocala as I will need to pick up some art supplies on a regular basis that I don't want shipped due to weight (clay). I will keep all of these suggestions on hand.

Grill, every had problems with platelets? I find that after a couple of months of every other week my veins start to become troublesome so I also alternate. I feel lucky I have the time to spend donating.

it's interesting you noted a nonchalant attitude, in all the years I have been donating the first time I felt I had someone with no personality and did not seem to care was last week. She had no interest in friendly chatter almost to the point of being rude. I had to change my normal day and time and I got used to the same crew time after time. I was really surprised that she survived working there because the rest of the staff is so wonderful.