Patti Dorlarque of Columbia Falls has been donating blood since 1998 and recently received her 10-gallon pin. She keeps all the letters she receives from Red Cross telling her where her donation is being used.Â
In 1998, Patti Dorlarque was on her way home in Columbia Falls when she noticed a Red Cross blood drive. Diabetic, Patti didn’t think she was able to donate but decided to stop in anyway to find out. It turns out she was eligible, jump-starting a two-decade tradition that has helped countless patients in need of lifesaving blood.
In November, Patti received her prestigious 10-gallon pin. Her blood has gone to medical facilities across the country and Montana including a couple of children’s hospitals. She keeps all the letters she receives from Red Cross telling her where her donation is being used.
The first letter Patti received let her know her donation went to someone at the hospital in Shelby, the community where she was born and raised.
“My chest just explodes,” Patti said of the feeling she gets each time another Red Cross letter arrives. “I just love it. It makes me feel so good and so proud that I’m able to do that and help other people.”
Patti says she donates every other month “like clockwork” and enjoys meeting other donors and talking with the Red Cross staff.
“I feel like a little kid sometimes because you get the badge to put on that says when your appointment is and I wear that all day because I’m proud of that,” she said.
DONATE TODAY
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood including cancer patients, accident victims, expecting mothers and those undergoing surgery. Schedule an appointment today or find a drive near you by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The donation process takes about an hour from start to finish and just might save a life.
