Fourth annual Green Shirt Day in honour of Humboldt Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet to encourage organ donation registration
Province of Saskatchewan recognized for support since devastating crash in April 2018
February 28, 2022 (REGINA, SK) The fourth annual Green Shirt Day is five weeks away. Leading up to Green Shirt Day on April 7, the Canadian Transplant Association, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Canadian Blood Services and Canada’s organ and tissue donation community are asking Canadians to take the time to consider organ and tissue donation, find out how to register in their province or territory, and to have a conversation about it.
Today, the family of Logan Boulet and Green Shirt Day National Partner, the Canadian Transplant Association launched the annual Green Shirt Day in Regina. This event recognized the support the Province of Saskatchewan has provided to the Logan Boulet and his family, the Bronco family, the community of Humboldt and significant improvements to organ donor registration and awareness in Saskatchewan since that devastating day in April 2018.
On April 6, 2018, Canadians were heartbroken to hear the news of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Of the 29 passengers,16 lost their lives and 13 will all bear physical and emotional scars for life.
On April 7, 2018, Humboldt Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet, succumbed to his injuries. His parents, Bernadine and Toby Boulet donated his organs so that six lives could live on. They did so because Logan told his parents he was registering as an organ donor and that he was inspired by his coach and mentor Ric Suggitt. Ric passed on June 27th, 2017 and was also an organ donor and saved six lives.
As news spread of the organ donation by this young hockey player, it is estimated that almost 150,000 people registered to become organ donors in the days and weeks that followed. To date, this is the largest number of Canadians registering to become organ donors in Canadian History due to one event – one person.
April 7, 2022, will be proclaimed as Green Shirt Day in Saskatchewan to honour, remember, and recognize all the victims and families of that fatal crash and to continue Logan’s legacy by inspiring Canadians to talk to their families and register as organ and tissue donors.
“On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I want to thank the Boulet family, and everyone involved in Green Shirt Day for their outstanding contributions in raising awareness for organ and tissue donation,” said Health Minister Paul Merriman. “Our province is pleased to once again recognize Green Shirt Day on April 7th in honour of Logan’s lasting legacy, and to keep the conversation going in support of those who need a transplant.”
“Green Shirt Day began with a phone call from David Peckham in June 2018 about a possibility. This possibility involved creating awareness surrounding organ and tissue donor registration in Canada.” says Toby Boulet. “It is truly about honouring the 29 on the bus that tragic day in April and the “Logan Boulet Effect”. If you haven’t yet, now is the time to register – tell your family and be inspired!”
There are more that 4,100 Canadians waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Each year approximately 250 people die waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
The goal of Green Shirt Day 2022 is to inspire 100,000 new registered organ and tissue donors nationally.
Show your support
- Wear green on April 7 in honour of Logan Boulet and his Bronco Family, and the Logan Boulet Effect.
- Register to become an organ donor. If you are already registered, share your decision with your family and encourage others to register as well.
- Inspire your community. Light up your porch lights, buildings, and landmarks green on Green Shirt Day. Our goal is to light up 2022 landmarks across Canada on April 7.
- Spread the word on social media. Encourage others to become organ and tissue donors by spreading awareness online using the hashtags whenever possible: #GreenShirtDay #LoganBouletEffect
- Become an Ambassador for Green Shirt Day by utilizing the Ambassador Toolkit https://greenshirtday.ca/ambassadortoolkit/ for many best practices, templates, and links to support Green Shirt Day.
- Visit blood.ca/organs-tissues to learn more about organ and tissue donation and to find out how to register in your province.
About Green Shirt Day
The Canada-wide Green Shirt Day was created to remember the victims and families of the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan in 2018. And, to continue Logan Boulet’s legacy by inspiring Canadians to register as organ donors and to talk to their families about their wishes.On April 7, learning that he would not recover, Bernadine and Toby Boulet offered to donate their son, Logan Boulet’s organs. They did so because Logan had registered as an organ donor and had spoken to his parents about his wishes. His generous final act inspired almost 150,000 donor registrations across Canada shortly thereafter, which became known as the Logan Boulet Effect.
Green Shirt Day is led by the Boulet Family and Canadian Transplant Association, in partnership with Canada’s Organ and Tissue Donation Community, including key partners Canadian Blood Services and the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
Media contacts:
Ministry of Health Media Relations
Regina
306-787-4083 | media@health.gov.sk.ca
Green Shirt Day
For a media interview with the Boulet Family please contact them via:
https://greenshirtday.ca/contact-us/
Toby Boulet
Brenda Brown, President
Canadian Transplant Association
604-807-8282
Canadian Blood Services Media Line
1-877-709-7773 | media@blood.ca
Wendy Kudeba, National Director of Marketing & Communications
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
289-329-0757
