File photo of a Green Shirt Day sign at Logan Boulet Arena in Lethbridge. The April 7 Green Shirt Day is a time to raise awareness of organ donation and honour all those impacted by the fatal 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash. (Photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Green Shirt Day a time to raise awareness of organ donation

Apr 7, 2024 | 7:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Canadians are encouraged to wear green today.

Green Shirt Day is being recognized in communities across the country, including in Lethbridge.

It is a time to reflect and honour those impacted by the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash of six years ago. On April 6, 2018, the junior hockey team was involved in a collision that took the lives of 16 people, including Lethbridge’s Logan Boulet, and injured 13 others.

READ MORE: “That’s the bravest man I’ve ever seen” – Humboldt Broncos’ Logan Boulet remembered at celebration of life

Following his death on April 7, Boulet’s organs were donated, which resulted in six lives being saved. After this, the country saw a surge in organ donor registration in what became known as “The Logan Boulet Effect”. In honour of Logan’s actions, April 7 was established as Green Shirt Day.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

READ MORE: Green Shirt Day initiative underway for 2024

“In our hearts we know that Logan would be immensely proud and thankful that we honoured his wish to become an organ donor,” says Logan’s father Toby.

“Of course, no one thought that Logan would pass at 21, but his legacy of kindness, humility and giving continues to inspire our global community.”

READ MORE: Celebrating five years of Green Shirt Day at the Logan Boulet Arena

For the sixth annual Green Shirt Day, a new design has been crafted by Indigenous artist Dr. Heavy Shield, also known as Nato’yi’kina’soyi (Holy Light that Shines Bright), from the Blood Tribe.

“I’ve chosen the star, inspired by the star blanket gifted to the Boulet family by the Waywayseecappo First Nation in Manitoba,” the artist remarks.

“For Blackfoot people, star blankets represent comfort, healing and generosity, reflecting the impact of Logan’s story on the global community,”

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

In addition to wearing green, Canadians are encouraged to register as an organ donor and inform their families of their wishes, become a Green Shirt Day ambassador, and post on social media while tagging @greenshirtday and using the hashtags #GreenShirtDay and #LoganBouletEffect.

People can also light up their porch or neighbourhood green, hang green shirts from windows or balconies and encourage others to register as an organ donor.

READ MORE: Former Humboldt Bronco Tyler Smith and Toby Boulet speak at Lethbridge schools ahead of Green Shirt Day

Green Shirt Day is led by the Boulet family and Canadian Transplant Association, in partnership with the country’s organ and tissue donation community, including partners Canadian Blood Services and The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Organizers are also thanking the IA Financial Group for its support.

AWARENESS WEEK

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week is set for later this month. It is on from April 21 to 27. Officials say there are over 4,000 Canadians waiting for a lifesaving transplant and every year, about 270 people die waiting for an organ transplant.

One organ donor can save up to eight lives, while tissues can save or improve up to 75 lives.

READ MORE: ‘Interwoven Legacies’ public art installation unveiled at Logan Boulet Arena

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.