It has been two years since the tragic Humboldt Broncos' bus crash claimed the lives of 16 young Canadians, including local hockey player, Logan Boulet. Logan’s parents, Toby (BEd '89, MEd '04) and Bernadine Boulet (BEd '98), and his sister Mariko (BSc '17), are all alumni of the University of Lethbridge, so this tragedy is even more near and dear to our hearts.
Only five weeks prior to the crash, Logan had signed up to be an organ donor, inspired by the passing of his family friend and trainer Ric Suggit, who was also the Pronghorns Women’s Rugby coach. Logan was able to save six lives, a gift that changed the lives of so many Canadians. Within a month of Logan’s passing, Canadian Blood Services reported that just shy of 100,000 people had signed up to be organ donors. The Logan Boulet Effect was born as news spread of the impact this young man had.
In 2019, the first national Green Shirt Day took place, with the goal of honouring, remembering and recognizing 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 donors. April 7th, the anniversary of Logan’s death, will be celebrated to help promote these life saving measures that allow all Canadians to give life to someone. There are several local and national organizations who benefit from organ, blood and tissue donations. Below are some of the organizations involved in the promotion of Green Shirt Day.
1. Canadian Blood Services. As Canada’s largest blood authority non-profit organization, they promote blood, plasma, stem cell and organ donation. To check eligibility and to book a donation appointment, visit their website. Make sure to check out both the organ donation after death program as well as the Living Kidney Donation program to see how you can get involved.
2. Hockey Gives Blood. IT TAKES A TEAM TO SAVE A LIFE. Hockey Gives Blood was founded by Stu Middleton and Tanner Murray, as a way to get the world of Canadian hockey involved in blood and stem cell donation awareness. The premise of this organization is to encourage teams to work together to build awareness and to give back.
3. Kidney Foundation of Canada. With organizations in municipalities all over the country (including one that operates right here in southern Alberta), the Kidney Foundation organizes and advocates for living kidney donations. Whether donating to a friend or family member or being willing to give to a perfect stranger, this organization facilitates the entire process.