American Red Cross Would Not Take No for an Answer!

I agree. Hanging up on them ... possibly after telling them "Do not
call me back" sounds like a good idea.


If you have a bad reaction... I'd say go with your instincts. There
are other ways to donate and help without having a needle stabbed into
your arm.

And you should have to explain yourself to them, especially when a
stranger calls you on the phone like that.


In my opinion... hell... when they ask if you saw a doctor about it...
if you actually *want* to keep talking to them, ask them what THEIR
medical background is. The people doing the calls are usually *not*
the doctors.


and personally... i know not all places can do it, but... i rather
liked what they did in virginia... in one of the malls, the red cross
set up a permanent donation center open 3x a week. so those of us who
donated just walked in when we could. and they usually switched the
"calls" to automated voice so we weren't overly pushed to donate.

There is a VERY simple solution to this.

Do what I do:

Hang up the phone as soon as they start asking you a question.

Since the privacy of your home has been invaded with their unsolicited
phone call, you have every right to hang up on them.

While I sympathize 100% with having to deal with unwanted phone calls
and pushy phone reps, please keep one thing in mind:

When you withhold your donation because you do not like the Red Cross'
solicitation style, you are NOT punishing them - you are putting at
risk the innocent people who have had the misfortune to unexpectedly
need blood.

In 2002, during labor, my uterus and bladder ruptured, and I needed 2
units of blood. My blood type is one of the less common types, and I
am grateful that it was available for me.

I think the phone reps may ask WHY you cannot donate, so that they can
dispell any misconceptions that people may have. My own fiance did
not donate for years because he thought being on medication for high
blood pressure excluded him as a donor.

As I said, your complaint is completely valid, but please think twice
before refusing to donate simply based on 'pushy' phone calls.

I understand your fustration with this. I am unable to donate as well
and it's very annoying when they call and start asking why instead of
just taking no for an answer. I agree with what many others have said,
you may have to be rude and just hang up on them. Or ask to speak with
a supervisor and see if you can get to talk to someone in charge and
tell them that they are loosing donaters because of the additude of
their callers. Sometimes just asking to speak to someone above their
heads will make the person calling back off as well.

Ugh! I am a regular blood donor and have never had an issue giving
blood until this last time.

The check-in person was rather curt and a bit rude...didn't smile at
all. Her demeanor told me she either didn't like her job or she didn't
like people. Which is not good if you are sticking them with needles.

I have NEVER in my ENTIRE life ever had anyone have a hard time
finding or penetrating my veins. I have been told on more than one
occasion that I am "blessed" because my veins are so easy to see and
find. However, this particular phlebotomist, after telling me that I
am "blessed" proceeded to torture me for what felt like FOREVER trying
to find my vein.I was nearly crying. It was the first time giving
blood that I felt like I was going to pass out.

I think their people need more training.

I am a volunteer for my local McCain campaign headquarters. I do phone
calls and door to door campaigning. While on the phones for any
organization, you will get all kinds of people. Some say, NO THANK YOU
and hang up right away. If you are this bothered, be that kind of
person. Just hang up the phone. That simple motion gets you out of the
conversations and sends a strong motion to the caller.

Take Charge. Thanks for calling I am not interested. HANG UP.

This is exactly why I stopped donating 6-7 years ago. After I donated
back in 2001, I started getting calls at home AND at work, usually
several times per week. It finally got to the point where I had to
cuss them out over the phone, and demand that they stop calling.
Doing so worked, in that it stopped the calls, but it should never
have come to that, especially after I repeatedly asked them to stop
calling me.

I never thought I'd see the day when the American Red Cross becomes as
bad, or worse, then telemarketers. I would've gladly given blood
again if it wasn't for the constant badgering. I realize that being
Type "O", a universal donor, makes me in high demand, but I really
don't need that kind of harassment at home or at work.
The ARC needs to rethink the way they try to contact people for
donations.

While I agree with others that you might still be able to donate and
should talk to your doctor if you are indeed interested in doing so,
if you should get another call, just keep it simple and say "I am
unfortunately unable to donate for medical reasons." It is none of
their business what those medical reasons are, and if they ask, you
can politely say, "That's none of your business" and then get off the
phone. You don't owe them an explanation.

I have been known to get dizzy from having a few vials of blood drawn
at the doctor's office so I, too, am leery of donating a whole pint.

I also live in Rochester, NY and have experienced the same sort of
thing. Once you've donated, they call constantly.

While I appreciate the need for blood and used to donate when I could,
the calls became so intrusive that I got upset and just stopped giving
all together.

I don't know if the over persistence is something specific to this
region or if the Red Cross uses a national call center someplace. I
do know that they drove me crazy and there really isn't any excuse for
it.

In fact, they hurt themselves by driving people like OP and myself
away from giving in the future.

To those of you who seem surprised that the Red Cross initiated such a
phone call, they do. I get calls whenever I'm late to donate. My
blood is used for preemies and other high-risk newborns, which is good
motivation to get in and donate, but I don't always have a free
evening or Saturday that works with their schedule openings. I kind
of like the phone calls--that way, if I do forget, I get a nice
reminder.

However, to pressure someone in this manner is rude and, considering
the organization being represented here, unethical.

You know, I've never heard of such a call. I wonder if this was
actually the Red Cross calling? Whether it was a legitimate call or
not, you have far more patience than me. She would have been hung up
on at "did a doctor tell you that?" None of her business, and I
already gave my answer.

I've never had a phone call asking for blood. The last time I
remember being asked was right in high school and at that time I
didn't weigh enough to donate. However, it's none of their business
what your doctor says or doesn't say. That's personal information and
I wouldnt be surprised if today there was some kind of privacy law
protecting you from being asked that!

This rep needs to be re-trained in how to aproach people regarding
requesting donations. While she thinks she is helping the Red
Cross'cause she is actually hindering it by being so agressive.
She has no right to ask personal questions regarding the person NOT
wanting to donate. Once a person says no she should say thank you for
your time and hang up. Some people will actually may remember this and
find a way to donate monitarily instead.

I used to get those calls all the time and I used to donate a lot. At
one point, I told them not to call, I would donate when I could but
the calls continued. I finally told them I would no longer donate and
would no longer be eligible because I was getting tattoos. It was a
lie but it stopped the calls.

I feel bad because I have been the recipient of blood after surgery
but I hate aggressive tactics like that. If I truly need blood, I can
get it from my sisters, we're all the same type, O Negative.

No, people, it is NOT rude to hang up on a pushy person on the phone.
Miss Manners advocates this. Trust me. You politely but firmly say
"No, thank you" or "Not interested" or whatever, then click. Phone
call is over.

That telephone is in your home for *your* convenience and no one
else's.

Wow, that was rude of that Red Cross volunteer (or employee?) I feel
that once someone tells you "no" then that's that and you shouldn't
continue to press the issue.

Personally, I wish I could give blood. I cannot because I lived in
Europe for several years. (might have Mad Cow disease...mooo.)

I used to give blood all the time before my kids were born (and then I
always came back too anemic, so I stopped trying) and all I ever got
was a postcard in the mail. No one EVER called, so I'm stunned that
1) they called you when you hadn't given in a while and 2) that they
were so obnoxiously persistent!

I know times are hard, but that is just so far out of line.

This has to do with the Red Cross in general, years ago when they use
to go door to door for donations, one of the red cross people came to
my dads place,and he found out that this person working for red cross
made more money working for the red cross then he did working full
time at the steel mill, and my dad was making pretty good money
there.So after that, he never gave a donation to them again, he figure
if they were paying their emplyees that well, they didn't need his
donations.

I agree they should take "no" for an answer. However, I also want to
stress that YOU don't owe the Red Cross, or anyone else for that
matter, justification for why you can't (or don't want to) donate,
purchase, or sign up for anything a person over the phone is pushing.

I also would suggest hanging up if they can't take "no" for an answer.

I get those calls a lot and the people are sometimes harassing. I
understand the need for blood but they shouldn't hassle someone to
donate blood. I have never had a bad experience as you have so I
always tell them I'll donate again and the call ends there. A
co-worker of mine used to experience the same thing after donating and
she did as Bill R. previously suggested. She went to her doctor and he
gave her some advice and tips so that she can still donate. I don't
know if you would still be interested in donating after becoming so
ill, but I thought I would give you a suggestion in case you did ever
want to give blood again.

I just say "not interested" at an appropriate pause, and hang up
immediately.

You are right, a lot of solicitors do not know what the word "no"
means. I'm not interested in getting into some game of justifying my
answers (same as you) so I don't even entertain the conversation. The
chowderhead on the other end who doesn't understand "no" has only one
objective, get you to say "yes".

My curtness backfired a bit on me recently - my alma mater called (as
always) and I said "wrong number!" and hung up. I realized they
probably would figure out quickly it was not the wrong number. I felt
a bit guilty, but I really didn't care - I told these people 5 years
ago to never solicit me again.

The Red Cross is one of the best places to donate to, and blood, well
that is another matter. However, "no" means "no".

Here's a thought; hang up. Yes, it's rude, but when someone's rude
enough to make you need to do it, I'd say it's justified.

I donate blood, as do most people in my family, but, like the equally
aggressively enforced practice of breastfeeding, it's not for
everyone.

I'm sorry you were badgered that way! I understand the need for blood,
however, being rude is not away to get donations.

They probably have a quota.

We used to get those calls all the time, but now they've dwindled down
to a recording, so we don't have to make a commitment or give any
explanation. I understand the need for blood, and while a little
coaxing might not be bad, they also need to accept an outright no,
with or without a reason. And they shouldn't make you feel guilty
either. When asking for blood donations, annoying possible donors is
not a good idea. I hope your letter helps them understand what
they're doing wrong and why it could result in less people being
cooperative.

Brenda B.,

I hope they pay attention to your message.

Hard to tell how many potential donors have been turned off by this
approach.

Less than 5% of the population that can donate actually do. Potential
donors that might not be able to donate need to be treated with as
much repect as those that as do because like in this case they tell
other people about their experience.

Stop back and let us know when the Red Cross responds. In the mean
time don't let this one persons actions stop you from getting other
people to donate.

As far as your particular case you might dicuss with your doctor what
happened the last time you attempted to donate as there may be
precautions to take which would allow you to donate again.

BillR.