u/shrampmaster

I say this about the whole country. However, as someone who has lived in multiple states and countries, the DMV has consistently the worst drivers I've ever seen.

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We need people to be comfortable taking public transportation because it's cheap, reliable, and safe.

I had an appointment to donate platelets at my usual ARC today at 10:30. I’m a semi-frequent donor (88 units), so I’m familiar with the process. Today I showed up for my appointment, and the volunteers at the check-in desk asked me to wait before scanning my ID/checking in because the phlebotomist needed to talk to me (never happened before, odd). Turns out, one of their apheresis machines was down, so I was asked to reschedule. Fine, slightly annoying because gas is $4.65/gal in my area and I would have appreciated a phone call before driving up there, but that’s not their fault. I asked for an estimate of when it would be fixed (for rescheduling purposes) and they weren’t sure, so I figured I’d just keep an eye on open appointments through the app.

At 11:45ish, I get a call from the Red Cross (not the usual recruitment number). I answered, and the gentleman on the phone was calling to see if I was okay because I ‘missed my appointment’ today. I then got a (polite but firm) lecture about how no-showing for appointments wastes bed space/donation slots and negatively affects patients, and that if it happens again, they’ll cancel my future appointments. I explained that I was there today and was asked to reschedule, but because I didn’t check in on the computer, I was listed as a NCNS.

It’s not the end of the world and I don’t fault them for checking in with me, I’m just mildly annoyed by the whole situation. I wish the donation centers had direct phone lines for situations like this.