Surrey health workers honored with snacks, stories, and gratitude at Operation Popcorn, celebrating life-saving care and organ donation.
Surrey Health Workers Thanked with Festive Treats
Surrey Memorial Hospital staff were in for a sweet surprise on Friday, December 5, as they enjoyed a Christmas snack and heartfelt thanks for their life-saving work. The annual Operation Popcorn event, now in its 34th year, is organized by BC Transplant to honor health-care teams across B.C.
“This is our way of showing appreciation to the ICU, emergency, and OR staff,” said Bobbi Paquette, BC Transplant’s in-hospital coordinator for Fraser Health. “Most people see the sadness around organ donation, but rarely the lives saved. Operation Popcorn lets our teams witness the positive side of these gifts.”
A Personal Story of Gratitude
The event also gives former patients a chance to meet the heroes who saved their lives. Fleetwood resident Paul Lee shared his story, which began 14 years ago with a simple stomach ache. Within days, he discovered he was in liver failure and had only 24 to 48 hours to live.
Transferred to Vancouver General Hospital, Lee was fortunate to receive a matching donor the very next day. “The nurse called me a miracle, boy,” he recalled. “This is my chance to thank the incredible staff for their hard work…because of them, I have a second shot at life.”
Thanks to the transplant, Lee has watched his three children grow up and welcomed five grandchildren into the world moments he says would not have been possible without the dedicated hospital teams.
Spreading Gratitude Across the Region
Operation Popcorn also stopped by Peace Arch Hospital on Thursday, December 4, continuing the tradition of celebrating health-care workers throughout the province. The initiative serves as a reminder that behind every organ donation, countless staff members make extraordinary efforts to save lives.
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