91裸聊视频淟ive life and pass it on,91裸聊视频 that91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淚t really helps me through my grief, to know that he lives on, that vivacious heart...it91裸聊视频檚 just amazing that he91裸聊视频檚 still out there,91裸聊视频 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.
91裸聊视频淓verybody plays a part in that...it91裸聊视频檚 a huge undertaking,91裸聊视频 said Cayden91裸聊视频檚 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 can91裸聊视频檛 be done but staff nevertheless play a part in the whole process.
Deanna hadn91裸聊视频檛 known her son was registered as an organ donor 91裸聊视频 he was only 28-years-old, and his life seemed indestructible.
91裸聊视频淗e lived a very, very full life in 28 years,91裸聊视频 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 91裸聊视频淰ivacious red head that loved everybody.91裸聊视频 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, Cayden91裸聊视频檚 mother said she has 91裸聊视频渕orphed into a different Deanna.91裸聊视频 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.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 exactly where Cayden wants me to be,91裸聊视频 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 she91裸聊视频檚 become a beacon of hope for others.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 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.91裸聊视频
Deanna has had the opportunity to communicate with some of the people who received Cayden91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淚t definitely helps me through my grief,91裸聊视频 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.
91裸聊视频淭he youth need to understand...it91裸聊视频檚 not a scary thing,91裸聊视频 Debbie said. The sisters set up a booth at markets to help inform people on the process.
91裸聊视频淚t takes two minutes. Live life, pass it on,91裸聊视频 Debbie said as she explained it's easy to register as a donor and save lives.
91裸聊视频淚 just don91裸聊视频檛 think that there91裸聊视频檚 enough information,91裸聊视频 she said while thinking about all the youth she91裸聊视频檚 met who are fascinated and surprised by the idea of 91裸聊视频榣iving in someone else91裸聊视频檚 body.91裸聊视频
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 year91裸聊视频檚 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.