Operation Popcorn marks 32 years of thanking health care teams

Dec 6, 2023 | 1:17 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — 2023 marks 32 years since Operation Popcorn has allowed those affected by organ donations to thank health care staff, and on Tuesday, families had their chance to say thank you.

For many health care workers working in organ donation, the first week in December brings the delivery of big red boxes filled with popcorn to kick-start the holiday season. Rick and Noreen Woodford had the chance to personally thank health care workers at UHNBC, as their son Matthew was an organ donor.

“He gave four gifts of life, lungs, kidneys and liver and not a day goes by that we don’t miss him. We love him very much and are very, very proud of him.” – Noreen Woodford, Mother of Matthew Woodford, who became an organ donor at 34

BC Transplant is encouraging as many people to sign up as organ donors, as the need is great. 450 to 500 people in B.C. receive organs every year, but there are around 500 still waiting for a transplant.