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Hear, hear. I'm a long-time donor, usually giving at my employer's office in - GAAAH! - downtown Philly. The Red Cross comes in for two days, sets up shop in one of the bigger conference rooms, and we all set up a time to donate. It's a big chunk out of the day, but at least we don't have to leave the office.

Well, no more. For some reason they cut the drive to 1 day. Excuse me? There are 1600 employees in the building, and 300-400 more in the other building 3 blocks away. At a minimum of 1 hour per donor, do you think one day is enough? I don't.

A couple weeks ago when the Red Cross came in I arrived to find - surprise! - a big line, the result of the shorter blood drive. I filled out the paperwork and sat there for 45 minutes. And then one of the people in line ahead of me comes out and says after waiting for an hour, she can't give blood because her iron is too low. I left.

And then it occurred to me: It takes 20 seconds to test someone's iron. Why not do that up front, and save everyone a lot of time? When someone comes to donate just grab them, swab their ear, stick their earlobe, and if their iron is too low send them on their way. Takes 3 minutes, tops.

So, no more donating through the Red Cross. I'm going to find someone who respects my time.

Just one other remark, there is no reason donating blood should take more than 45 minutes. But the Red Cross is not the organisation that will make that happen.

Blood Banks of America is Red Cross' major competition and they did NOT waste all that blood that was freely given after 9/11. They actually slowed down collection and required appointments for all donors.

They only collect blood and do not do all the other work that ARC does.

Most major US cities have branches of their offices. They are also non-profit as is the ARC.