Canadians from coast to coast are encouraged to wear green on Thursday.
April 7 marks Green Shirt Day across the country in honour of the Logan Boulet Effect.
The Humboldt Broncos defenceman was one of 16 people killed when the bus carrying the team was struck by a semi-trailer truck in Saskatchewan on April 6, 2018.
Boulet passed away the next day and his parents, acting on their son’s desire, offered to donate his organs, saving six lives.
“What happened after that turned a tragedy into an inspiration for all Canadians,” said Jenn Martin, who represents the Canadian Transplant Association.
“He actually inspired over 150,000 people to register as organ donors.”
Logan Boulet (Image submitted)
Martin said they continue to use Boulet’s inspiration to encourage organ donation every April.
Organ donation is an important cause for Martin, who is an organ donor recipient herself.
“It took me three years to find my donor. It ended up being a live donor somewhere across the country,” she said.
“The gift of that life — the energy, the health I have again, to be with my boys and continue to build memories — is incredible.”
Martin encouraged Canadians to register as an organ donor, if they have not done so already, and share their wishes with others.
“A lot of people don’t realize that even if you’re a donor, at that grieving moment, your family can override your decision. That’s so, so important to share your wishes ahead of time.”
You can learn more about Green Shirt Day and how to register to become an organ donor in your province by clicking here.
