Locals saving lives one pint at a time with Red Cross
Pamela Lynch getting set for her blood donation. (Erin Jussseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Pamela Lynch sits at the ready to give blood. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Mother daughter donation duo of Hot Springs Katherine Hannus (L) and Patty Dalling (R) (Erin Jusseaume/ Clark Fork Valley Press)
Wednesday, Aug. 16, saw locals flock to the Plains VFW building to give blood for the Red Cross Blood Drive.
The Blood Drive travels to the town every two months looking for donations that could be the difference between life or death.
The Red Cross has been collecting blood donations since 1940, originally under the leadership of Dr. Charles Drew.
Just like most of America, Sanders County is no different as a Red Cross mobile blood drive truck stops at towns along Montana Highway 200.
Plains local Norah Verpoorten is said to be the longest-running donor for the Red Cross in Plains.
Verpoorten said she has been donating blood every year for more than 40 years. Though the last few times she has had to take a different role due to very strict donation requirements from the Red Cross, that hasn’t stopped her from going down and assisting those other donors where she can. This time she was waiting for donors to complete their donations then serve them with a little food and drink before they headed out the door to continue the day.
When asked why she began donating, she told a story from when she was a young girl here in Plains where her father got injured. That particular incident (amongst a few other smaller ones) was the kicker for her doing her part to help. Her story dates back to 1949.
“My dad dropped an ax on his arm and it cut through the bone,” Verpoorten said. “He was bleeding really bad. We had no doctors, ambulance or hospital here in Plains at that time. So neighbors, friends and an uncle had to rush him into Missoula. By the time he got to the hospital he was pronounced dead as he had essentially bled out. There was a doctor there that had served in the Army and he kept telling the nurses to give him plasma. They stitched him up, and continued to give him plasma until he eventually came back to us.”
With that first initial introduction to how donating blood can rally save a life, her mission began to donate every chance she could.
“It’s a wonderful thing to do. You can save up to three lives just from one donation,” said Verpoorten.
Sitting at the food recovery table Wednesday was Hot Springs local Katherine Hannus.
“I’m 24 years old and have been donating since I was 17,” Hannus said. “My mom is here with me as well donating today. It’s a great thing to do to help out the community.”
“There is always the possibility that someone you know or love will need a blood transfusion, so why not donate and make sure the blood banks have enough for everyone that needs it,” said Hot Springs mail lady Patty Dalling.
Both ladies also stressed that it was great to see so many walk-ins and appointments made for the day’s collection.
Summer is typically seen as a difficult time for two reasons; there are more accidents as people are traveling and generally more active as the weather is warmer; and there are a lot of mobile donation locations, like schools, that are not in use due to closing for summer vacation.
On average the VFW Hall in Plains where the Red Cross mobile collection sets up sees on average 27 donors come through the doors when they come to town.
Retired Plains local Pamela Lynch was getting all set up on the table for her donation.
“I’ve had a transfusion before, and I thought that by donating it’s a good way to pay it forward,” she said.
“I still remember the first time I donated here, the nurse was fantastic. I had asked what to expect as I was a little nervous. He told me I would feel a pinch and then it will feel like hot jalapeño sauce. That made me laugh, but he was right. So now I think of that every time I donate,” said Lynch.
With the VFW Hall on Lynch Street greeting plenty of locals from all walks of life it is fair to say that the day was seen as a success.
“People should make an appointment to avoid disappointment. Walk-ins can be limited and no one wants to miss the chance to save lives by donating,” said Verpoorten.
October will be the next time the Red Cross stops into Plains. With already five appointments on the books, they could very well see another successful Blood Drive event.