It’s the kind of conversation most people avoid: what happens to your body if the unthinkable happens. Read More
’Logan’s legacy reminds us how important it is for Canadians to talk with their families about their organ and tissue donation wishes,’ said Logan’s mother, Bernadine Boulet, in a statement
‘Logan’s legacy reminds us how important it is for Canadians to talk with their families about their organ and tissue donation wishes,’ said Logan’s mother, Bernadine Boulet, in a statement
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It’s the kind of conversation most people avoid: what happens to your body if the unthinkable happens.
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But it’s a conversation Bernadine and Toby Boulet did have with their son, Logan, before his death. The 21-year-old Humboldt Broncos hockey player was killed in the tragic April 6, 2018 bus crash that claimed 16 lives and injured many others.
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On April 7, doctors confirmed Logan would not recover from his injuries. The Boulets chose to honour their son’s wishes, as he had previously registered as an organ donor and spoken to them about his decision. His donated organs saved the lives of six Canadians waiting for organs, and inspired a national wave of registrations now known as the Logan Boulet Effect. It’s estimated nearly 150,000 people signed up as organ donors in the weeks that followed.
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In the wake of the tragedy, Logan’s parents founded Green Shirt Day, a nationwide campaign to remember the victims of the crash and continue raising awareness about organ donation.
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“Logan’s legacy reminds us how important it is for Canadians to talk with their families about their organ and tissue donation wishes,” said Logan’s mother, Bernadine Boulet, in a statement. “It will be up to families to give consent.”
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On Sunday, dozens of Calgarians wearing green shirts gathered in the spring sunshine near Prince’s Island Park for a community parade ahead of the seventh annual Green Shirt Day, a movement that aims to raise awareness about the growing need for organ donors and celebrate Boulet’s legacy.
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“The Logan Boulet effect has encouraged hundreds of thousands of Canadians to register as organ donors, proving how one choice can make the world of difference,” said Joyce Van Deurzen, Executive Director at the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Saskatchewan and Southern Alberta Branch, while addressing attendees at the parade starting point. The parade is organized by the Kidney Foundation in partnership with Green Shirt Day.
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“It’s been our privilege to work with the Boulet family . . . to promote and educate about organ donation and continue to inspire others to step up and take action towards this cause,” Van Deurzen added. “And that is what we all need to do, take action and talk about it, because the more people we can get committed to this cause, the more lives are going to be saved. It’s just that simple.”
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Organ donors needed in Canada
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The small sea of green formed on the north side of the Bow River Pathway Bridge before embarking on a two-kilometer walk. Along the way, participants stopped to share signs and green bracelets with Calgarians while sharing stories about their connections to the cause.
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“Every step we take today is a step towards saving lives and honoring the legacy of those who have given the gift of life,” Van Deurzen said.
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The need for organ donors in Canada continues to far outweigh the supply. According to the Kidney Foundation, about 4,000 Canadians are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Roughly 71 per cent of them need a kidney. On average, 250 people die each year waiting for a life-saving organ.