Saturday will mark the anniversary of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
Sunday will offer a chance to honour the unique legacy of one of their players.
Green Shirt Day has been created by the family of Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet to inspire people to consider organ and tissue donation and to discuss their wishes with their family members. Green Shirt Day will be recognized across Canada and the provincial government is encouraging people across the province to wear a green shirt to honour Boulet’s legacy.
“We encourage Saskatchewan residents to discuss their organ donation wishes with their loved ones,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Executive Director of Tertiary Programs Lori Garchinski said. “Having to consider organ donation for the first time in a hospital room can be overwhelming and stressful. Logan’s conversation ahead of time allowed an amazing gift to be provided at an extremely difficult time because his parents understood his wishes.”
Boulet was a 21-year-old in his last season with the Broncos. He was one of the 16 people who were killed in the crash, but before he passed on April 7, the day after the accident, Boulet’s wishes to have his organs donated was fulfilled, benefitting six people across the country.
The “Logan Boulet Effect” followed with nearly 100,000 Canadians signing up to be organ donors after news of Boulet’s donation came to light.
“We are grateful the Boulet family has shared Logan’s inspiring story, sparking a national conversation about the importance of organ donation,” Saskatchewan Health Minister Jim Reiter said in a press release.
The provincial government announced funding the 2019-20 budget for organ donation and transplant efforts by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the development of a provincial registry.
Nova Scotia tabled legislation Tuesday that would presume people’s consent for organ donation after they die. If a Nova Scotian didn’t want to donate their organs, they could simply opt out.
One organ donor can save up to eight lives and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of 75 people. The provincial government said that there are approximately 90 Saskatchewan residents waiting for a kidney transplant and 130 waiting for a cornea transplant. In 2018, 42 kidney transplants and 34 cornea transplants were performed in the province.
“It’s inspiring to see momentum building in Saskatchewan for organ and tissue donations and transplants,” kidney donor Chris Willenborg said in a provincial press release. “I would encourage everyone to think of the profound effect you can have on other families and make the decision to be a donor. You can give someone their life back.”
Saskatchewan’s donation rates remain below the national average but are on the rise.
Schools and workplaces are being encouraged to have staff and students also wear green on Monday, April 8.
