Sister Julien Dirkes was quite surprised as she entered the dining room on January 6 to applause and a standing ovation. Carrie Wiste from the American Red Cross was on hand to honor Sister Julien as she begins her 21st year as a Red Cross volunteer. Carrie said, “For 20 years this wonderful lady has dedicated time to saving lives in Little Falls and around the country by coordinating blood drives right here at the Franciscan Sisters…It’s impossible to say how many lives she’s touched over the years, but it has to be tens of thousands. I only know this because I did a little math and figured that Sister Julien has headed up efforts to collect over 21,000 units of blood…and every unit can save up to three lives. That’s 63,000 people who, thanks to our friend, have gotten the blood they needed to survive cancer treatment, life-threatening blood disorders, complications during child birth or other circumstances. It’s an astounding number isn’t it?…From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!”
The Morrison County Record also featured a story about Sister Julien's recognition. You can read it here: http://bit.ly/2FQFnS6
