By Dave Branco

Woodford family honours son’s gift of life as BC Transplant marks 34 years of Operation Popcorn

Dec 9, 2025 | 2:40 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A holiday tradition with a lifesaving message is returning to UNHBC. Operation Popcorn is celebrating 34 years of thanking health care workers while encouraging thousands of residents to register as organ donors. 

 After the loss of their son, Nick and Noreen Woodford make their way to UNHBC each December with a meaningful purpose in mind. They bring gifts and popcorn for the healthcare providers who played a crucial role during their son Mattie’s hospital stay. Each year, this visit brings a whirlwind of emotions as they reflect on their experience.

For the 34th consecutive year, dedicated volunteers from BC Transplant are personally delivering over 5,000 popcorn packages to hospital units throughout the province. This gesture expresses gratitude to the teams whose hard work makes organ donation and transplants possible.

“ Matthew donated four organs. And so four different people are living today because of Matthew’s donations.” Says Nick Woodford 

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Woodford family honours son's gift of life as BC Transplant marks 34 years of Operation Popcorn

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According to BC Transplant, there is even more to celebrate. An innovative partnership between BC Transplant and the Canada Revenue Agency has resulted in over 12,000 British Columbians registering their organ donation decisions in the past month alone.

BC Transplant reports that although most British Columbians support organ donation, only one in three has registered as an organ donor. The Woodfords think of their son every day, as well as the people he has helped.

Currently, nearly 600 people are waiting for life-changing transplants.