I have type O negative blood type. Weather has been bad, as you all know, and I wanted to try to get out to donate blood but wasn't sure if or when I'd get there so I called about whether our Blood Assurance downtown Chattanooga would take walk-ins. The girl on the phone had a pretty bad attitude and said if I didn't have an appointment they wouldn't have what they needed and wouldn't be prepared to take my blood. This seems odd considering there is a shortage.
Do they or do they not have what they need to accept donors? American Red Cross website says walk-ins are just fine.
Chattanooga regularly irritates me with this type of behavior. When I called the Blood Assurance in Fort Oglethorpe (where I was born), they said absolutely come in anytime no appointments required.
So, I'm just confused why our main Blood Assurance downtown isn't prepared during a shortage?
Kristina Bartlett
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To all of the hard-working, sincere, diligent, humble and compassionate professionals who work at Blood Assurance:
Please allow me first to thank you for your service and second to apologize for the harsh and vitriolic criticism expressed by the above writer in connection with you and with one of our community's most valuable nonprofit organizations.
I donated blood last Friday afternoon at the Fourth Street location. As has always been the case, over the many years and gallons of blood which I have donated, I was treated with courtesy, kindness and respect. This was a walk-in donation with no appointment and I have nothing but praise for all of you.
Please do not feel singled out by the writer's harsh commentary.
The above writer expressed in her letter the fact that: "Chattanooga regularly irritates me with this type of behavior."
I still remember the elementary school bus crash and how your team came back to work and opened your doors at 7 p.m. on the night of the crash while people lined up outside to donate blood for the injured children. Your team worked tirelessly through the night.
So, while our wonderful Blood Assurance organization is the target of her grievances, it appears that the--entire--city of Chattanooga, on a regular basis, imposes irritation on this disgruntled individual.
It is my hope that this generalization somehow dilutes whatever hurt or sadness the writer's critical letter may otherwise cause you.
Again, thank you for your service and for the care courtesy you have always shown.
And thank you to the many local businesses that help support your mission by providing snacks, hydration, marketing, prizes and contests in order to stimulate awareness of need and donations of precious blood.
Michael Mallen