Skip to content

Transplant recipients drop popcorn in thanks at Royal Jubilee Hospital

BC Transplant’s Operation Popcorn hit hospitals across the province this week
9705521_web1_171213-OBN-operationpopcorn_2
Tony Duke (left), 18 months post double lung transplant, and Steve Farmer (right), nearly 13 years post liver transplant, chat with staff at Royal Jubilee Hospital while delivering popcorn as a thank you during the annual BC Transplant Operation Popcorn. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)

Steve Farmer plans to celebrate 13 years with his new liver on a beach in Maui.

He marks the occasion each Jan. 1. For the past five years, the Victoria transplant recipient started each holiday season with a series of thank-you’s this morning at Royal Jubilee Hospital.

The unlikely elf team of Farmer, Tony Duke (18-months post double lung transplant), his wife Beth Campbell Duke, Shannon McCloskey, in hospital donor co-ordinator for BC Transplant/Island Health and an Island Health photographer delivered popcorn to various departments involved in the transplant process at Royal Jubilee Hospital this morning (Dec. 7).

“It’s just appreciation for all their hard work and to let them know that there are survivors doing quite well,” said Farmer, who had a liver transplant nearly 13 years ago. He’s delivered popcorn for five years now, and was part of the team that popcorned Victoria General Hospital yesterday (Dec. 6).

BC Transplant’s Operation Popcorn is an annual tradition where transplant recipients, living donors and donor family members thank hundreds of health professionals across B.C. for the gift of life. This year, almost 100 volunteers deliver more than 100 tins of popcorn to 28 hospitals in B.C., and one in the Yukon.

“Operation Popcorn is an opportunity for health professionals in intensive care units, operating rooms and emergency departments in hospitals around the province to see how their hard work and dedication helps save lives,” said Leanne Appleton, BC Transplant’s provincial executive director. “These deliveries are a small way for us to thank them for all they do.”


 
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
9705521_web1_171213-OBN-operationpopcorn_3
Tony Duke, Steve Farmer and Beth Campbell Duke, with staff at Royal Jubilee Hospital while delivering popcorn as a thank you during the annual BC Transplant Operation Popcorn. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)
9705521_web1_171213-OBN-operationpopcorn_4
BC Transplant’s Operation Popcorn is an annual tradition where transplant recipients, living donors and donor family members thank hundreds of health professionals across B.C. for the gift of life. This year, almost 100 volunteers deliver more than 100 tins of popcorn to 28 hospitals in B.C., and one in the Yukon. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)


Christine van Reeuwyk

About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

I'm dedicated to serving the community of Oak Bay as a senior journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
Read more