Achi news desk-
ETHBRIDGE, ALTA. –
This Saturday marks the sixth anniversary of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash and the start of Green Shirt Day, honoring the legacy of Logan Boulet.
“It’s a proud moment to know that Logan’s story, Logan’s legacy continues (going on) for six years and it’s growing all the time,” said Toby Boulet, Logan’s father.
On April 6, 2018, the Humboldt Broncos hockey team was on their way to a playoff game when a semi-truck drove through a stop sign in rural Saskatchewan and hit the bus carrying the team.
Logan was one of 16 people killed in the crash.
Shortly before the accident, on his 21st birthday, Logan signed his organ donor card in honor of his mentor and coach, University of Lethbridge rugby coach Ric Suggitt, who died in 2017.
It was a decision that saved the lives of six people and started the Logan Boulet Effect, which inspired more than 150,000 Canadians to become organ donors within two months.
Bernie, Logan’s mum, says the awareness campaign continues to grow year on year.
“I think it makes a big difference to know that the story continues and hasn’t lost its momentum or its impact or its inspiration,” he said.
Bernie says that as the years have passed since the tragedy, the conversation about organ donation has become more common.
“It is much easier to talk about organ donation now than it was six years ago. Six years ago we would still have made suggestions around it and now having a conversation is quite, I don’t want to say normal, but it’s a lot easier to do,” said Bernie.
“It’s amazing to see the Logan Boulet Impact and Green Shirt Day continue to grow,” said Brenda Brown, president of the Canadian Transplant Association.
In Canada, almost 4,000 people need an organ transplant, and each year around 270 people die while waiting for a transplant.
“Of that, 75 percent of those are kidneys or livers that can be addressed through living donations,” Brown explained.
“We could potentially reduce some of that waiting list in time for people who can’t actually receive a living organ and take some of that waiting list down for others who don’t have that option.”
While the anniversary of the accident was difficult for the Boulets, they say the support shown to Logan and the other Broncos has helped them grieve.
“For anyone who has lost a person in whatever circumstances, you want to be able to keep talking about that person and Green Shirt Day allows us to keep talking about Logan and people want to hear about it so that’s our help us along our journey. journey,” said Bernie.
To mark Green Shirt Day, the Boulets and the City of Lethbridge will host a free public skate on Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Logan Boulet Arena.
