香蕉视频直播淟ive life and pass it on,香蕉视频直播� that香蕉视频直播檚 the message sisters Deanna Desjarlais and Debbie Lynn carry with them as the mother and aunt of an organ donor who saved five lives. 

Deanna and Debbie thanked a team of health-care workers Monday, Dec. 2 at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) with a box of festive popcorn. 

The sisters are the only two Cariboo-based volunteers with BC Transplant, which for 33 years has been delivering popcorn to health-care teams across the province in thanks for their part in making organ donations and transplants possible.  

This was their second time helping with the campaign known as Operation Popcorn. Over 80 volunteer transplant recipients, living donors and families of deceased donors take part, personally thanking the health-care workers and sharing their stories. 

For Deanna, thanking the staff for the work they do means a lot. In July of 2021, her son Cayden Desjarlais lost his life after a motorcycle accident in 100 Mile House. When she was told there was no hope for her son, Deanna was surprised to learn Cayden was registered as an organ donor and could save another life. In the end, he saved five.  

香蕉视频直播淚t really helps me through my grief, to know that he lives on, that vivacious heart...it香蕉视频直播檚 just amazing that he香蕉视频直播檚 still out there,香蕉视频直播� Deanna said. 

Cayden had to make it to Vancouver within a window of time where hospitals have the capacity to perform transplants. He was airlifted from 100 Mile House to the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, but from there he had to be driven by ambulance because of heavy smoke from wildfires.  

香蕉视频直播淓verybody plays a part in that...it香蕉视频直播檚 a huge undertaking,香蕉视频直播� said Cayden香蕉视频直播檚 aunt Debbie. Cayden's organs were donated thanks to each and every person involved in the process, whether they were there at the operation table or keeping Cayden on life support. This is what brings volunteers like Deanna and Debbie to CMH, where transplants can香蕉视频直播檛 be done but staff nevertheless play a part in the whole process.   

Deanna hadn香蕉视频直播檛 known her son was registered as an organ donor 香蕉视频直播� he was only 28-years-old, and his life seemed indestructible. 

香蕉视频直播淗e lived a very, very full life in 28 years,香蕉视频直播� Deanna said. Cayden was a steel fabricator and had his own business in 100 Mile House. He had the chance to travel too, working on cruise ships and seeing lots of the world. 

Debbie described him as a 香蕉视频直播淰ivacious red head that loved everybody.香蕉视频直播� A personable and outgoing lovebug, Cayden was known by many in 100 Mile, some referring to him as the King of the Cariboo.  

Since his passing, Cayden香蕉视频直播檚 mother said she has 香蕉视频直播渕orphed into a different Deanna.香蕉视频直播� She began volunteering at the hospice in 100 Mile and worked as a patient ambassador at the local hospital before becoming a permanent receptionist there.   

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 exactly where Cayden wants me to be,香蕉视频直播� she said. Her new job has her interacting with other parents who have lost their children as well as with patients receiving organ transplants, and she said she feels she香蕉视频直播檚 become a beacon of hope for others.  

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 able to share my experience and my strength and my hope and growth," she said. This is how I live life without my child, by doing this, and thanking and greeting and sharing.香蕉视频直播� 

Deanna has had the opportunity to communicate with some of the people who received Cayden香蕉视频直播檚 organs, even exchanging letters with one recipient. She hopes that one day she may hear from more of them or even meet them in person, though she understands how difficult this can be for recipients.  

香蕉视频直播淚t definitely helps me through my grief,香蕉视频直播� she said. 

Along with delivering popcorn to health-care workers, Deanna and her sister try to spread awareness and encourage others to register as an organ donor.  

香蕉视频直播淭he youth need to understand...it香蕉视频直播檚 not a scary thing,香蕉视频直播� Debbie said. The sisters set up a booth at markets to help inform people on the process.  

香蕉视频直播淚t takes two minutes. Live life, pass it on,香蕉视频直播� Debbie said as she explained it's easy to register as a donor and save lives.  

香蕉视频直播淚 just don香蕉视频直播檛 think that there香蕉视频直播檚 enough information,香蕉视频直播� she said while thinking about all the youth she香蕉视频直播檚 met who are fascinated and surprised by the idea of 香蕉视频直播榣iving in someone else香蕉视频直播檚 body.香蕉视频直播�  

She recommended those curious about it watch the new Knowledge Network documentary series called Transplant Stories, which explains the organ transplant process step-by-step.  

Debbie also said people need to know they must register if they want to be an organ donor, and that having it marked on your driver's license is no longer considered consent to donate your organs.  

A total of 150 boxes of popcorn were delivered to health-care workers in this year香蕉视频直播檚 Operation Popcorn campaign, which is particularly special as the organization marks its 11,000th organ transplant in B.C. 

There are currently about 600 people in B.C. awaiting organ transplants, and you can register or verify your registration via BC transplants' or page.