Fraser Valley/Vancouver – For the 34th year, volunteers from BC Transplant will personally give thanks, with festive packages of popcorn, to the health care teams around the province who make organ donation and transplant possible. This week, there are more than 12,000 extra reasons to celebrate Operation Popcorn – that’s how many British Columbians have registered their decision on organ donation over the last month through an innovative partnership between BC Transplant (BCT) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
For many staff in BC hospitals, Operation Popcorn kicks off their holiday season as more than 75 volunteer transplant recipients, living donors and families of deceased donors drop off popcorn and share their stories directly with health care staff. This year, BC Transplant will deliver more than 5000 packages of popcorn to intensive care units, emergency departments, operating rooms, transplant units, transplant clinics and transplant pharmacies across the province.
On Wednesday December 3, Operation Popcorn will visit both Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Chilliwack General Hospital.
Bill C-210 was adopted in 2021, allowing the CRA to add a question to the income tax and benefit return asking taxpayers, for the first time ever, if they want to receive information about organ donation by email from their provincial or territorial government. By consenting, the CRA can share the taxpayer’s contact information with the province or territory exclusively for this purpose. This is BCT’s first time taking part
“Most British Columbians support organ donation, yet only one in three have actually registered their decision. We hope this email gives them the nudge they need to make it official—and potentially save lives,” said Eric Lun, BC Transplant’s executive director. “For all of us, Operation Popcorn is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of organ donation.”
BC Transplant received more than a million positive responses on this spring’s tax return forms. Emails to those who consented to receiving more information about organ donation have been sent out over the past four weeks. BCT is reminding people to check their inboxes for the email and click on the link to register their decision.
Didn’t get the email or can’t find it? Take two minutes to either verify or register as an organ donor at checkyourdecision.ca or registeryourdecision.ca. As of November 6, 2025, there are 1,617,709 British Columbians with a registered decision in the Organ Donor Registry.
In this season of giving, all British Columbians are encouraged to have a conversation with their families about their organ donation wishes. You can give hope to the nearly 600 British Columbians and their families waiting for the call that will change their lives.
BC Transplant provides provincial oversight for all aspects of organ donation and transplantation in BC, and is a program within the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). BC’s three transplant centres are BC Children’s Hospital, St Paul’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital. Transplant patients receive follow-up care at the transplant centres or at one of eight regional clinics close to their home community. More information: www.transplant.bc.ca.
