Health-care professionals in Greater Victoria received some early Christmas gifts this year.
Transplant recipients delivered festive boxes of popcorn to workers at Victoria General Hospital (VGH) and Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) Friday (Dec. 8).
Kathy Green handed out tasty treats at VGH to show her appreciation after her double-lung transplant just over 10 years ago.
“I’m thriving and healthy and I’m grateful to the people that were involved in making all that happen,” Green said. “They look after the donors and make sure they’re healthy and they don’t get to see the end result.”
Steve Farmer loves taking part in Operation Popcorn after his liver transplant in 2005. He visited RJH and VGH on Friday.
“It’s just great to give this small token of appreciation, Farmer said. “I like to come and say that I’m still doing great after 19 years. I do a lot of running and exercise. I feel good.”
BC Transplant’s 32nd annual Operation Popcorn took place at 30 hospitals in the province this week.
Over 120 packages were delivered and more than 80 volunteers were involved.
“Operation Popcorn is an opportunity for me to say thank you to the people that don’t get to see transplant recipients in their daily lives,” Green added. “Everyone’s always so appreciative. What health-care worker doesn’t like to get a gift of popcorn?”
More than 500 people in the province are waiting for life-saving transplants.
Residents can register to be an organ donor at transplant.bc.ca.
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