Bernadine, Toby and Mariko Boulet speaking at the fifth annual Green Shirt Day launch on March 3, 2023. (Photo: S Jones | LNN)

By Sarah Jones

Green Shirt Day announced in Lethbridge ahead of fifth anniversary of Humboldt bus crash

Mar 5, 2023 | 12:21 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – April 7, 2023, will mark the fifth annual Green Shirt Day. It’s a day to honour, remember and recognize the victims and families of the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018, and to encourage organ donation.

Logan Boulet, a victim of the collision who was from Lethbridge, had become an organ donor only one year prior to the crash. Through his selfless decision, he saved the lives of six other people.

As a result of Logan’s choice, it sparked a conversation about organ donation across the nation, and in the weeks that followed, an estimated 150,000 Canadians registered to become donors.

His legacy, now known as the Logan Boulet Effect, continues to impact people, and he is remembered every April 7, on Green Shirt Day.

In Lethbridge on March 3, 2023, the Boulet family, the Canadian Transplant Association, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Canadian Blood Services and Green Shirt Day national partners announced at Lethbridge City Hall that Green Shirt Day will take place again this year.

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Bernadine Boulet, Logan’s mother, spoke on how within five years, support for Green Shirt Day has never wavered but instead continues to gain momentum.

Bernadine said, “As the time has gone, we have realized how much of an impact that decision made by Logan, and how we carried it out, has impacted people and continues to grow.”

“We get people all the time, telling us that ‘we’re having a community event’, ‘we’re recognizing it’, ‘how do we get t-shirts’, and so, you know that has made a difference and it has made an impact on people that they want to be apart of Green Shirt Day,” Bernadine added.

Logan Boulet depicted on the ‘Movement for Life’ Green Shirt Day Posters on March 3, 2023 at Lethbridge City Hall. (Photo: S Jones | LNN)

Assistance Development Manager with Canadian Blood Services, Brenna Scott, spoke at City Hall and shared the importance of organ and tissue donation.

“Green Shirt Day has become a beacon of hope for patients and families,” explained Scott. “The Logan Boulet Effect is indeed a lasting legacy that continues to impact and inspire Canadians. Join the ‘Movement for Life’. The theme of the fifth annual Green Shirt Day underscores the vital link between organ donation and the gift of life. It represents the important action of registering to be an organ donor and telling your family.”

Joining the announcement was transplant recipient Margaret Benson, who spoke on the life-changing impact organ donation can have on an individual.

“Organ donation has saved my life twice, and I’m so lucky to be here today to honour Logan and his amazing decision to be an organ donor,” explained Benson. “He and the Boulet family changed the face of registering your wishes to be an organ donor. The Boulet effect began because of his decision.”

Benson continued, “The increase in transplants was due to educating people about registering their wishes. Logan’s decision had a huge part in the increase of organ transplants. What a legacy to leave.”

Organizers encourage people to wear green on April 7, have conversations with loved ones about organ donation and illuminate neighbourhoods with green lights.

Across the country, cities have chosen to honour Green Shirt Day by lighting up landmarks like the Calgary Tower, BC Place, Niagara Falls and Lethbridge City Hall with green lights.

Bernadine noted, “We have seen the positive impact, the rays of sunshine that this movement has risen out of a crash and a tragedy. It has led to conversations, which have helped families like ours make decisions in similar situations when there doesn’t seem to be any hope.”

“It has given hope to people who are waiting for donation. It has given hope to their families to know that people are registering and willing to give their organs to them, their tissues to them, to make a difference for them. It is that hope, it is that light that has been helping us through our journey,” said Bernadine.

In Lethbridge, residents can take part in a free skate at the Logan Boulet Arena on April 7.

To learn more about Green Shirt Day or organ donation go to the Green Shirt Day website.

Read more: April 7 to be known as Green Shirt Day in honour of the Logan Boulet Effect