This April 7 marks the fourth Green Shirt Day to promote organ donation. Launched by Toby and Bernadine Boulet, parents of Logan Boulet, the movement has made massive strides in organ donation awareness and has been responsible for record numbers of commitments to donate. 

As it has in the past, the province of Saskatchewan has once again declared April 7, the day on which Boulet tragically succumbed to injuries suffered in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, to be Green Shirt Day. 

“On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I want to thank the Boulet family, and everyone involved in Green Shirt Day for their outstanding contributions in raising awareness for organ and tissue donation,” said Health Minister Paul Merriman. “Our province is pleased to once again recognize Green Shirt Day on April 7th in honour of Logan’s lasting legacy, and to keep the conversation going in support of those who need a transplant.”

The pandemic delivered a significant interruption to organ recovery service as it did to the ability to provide transplants. That’s why it’s more important than ever to spread the message about the critical need for organ donors, says Toby Boulet. 

“There’s been such a disruption in transplants, particularly in Saskatchewan,” Boulet notes, given the restrictions and pressure placed on the healthcare system due to Covid. “It also affected Alberta, because all of the hearts, lungs and other transplant organs go to the University of Alberta. So there weren’t going to be any transplants.”

With no transplants possible, it put a halt to organ recovery for the period of time COVID was in play.

While there are still thousands of registered donors, any possible progress with actual organ recovery was lost, and the system needs to recoup. That’s why Boulet is hopeful that people will continue to honour Logan’s memory both by wearing green and by registering to become an organ donor. 

“It’s Green Shirt Day, so just wear green,” says Boulet. “If you don’t have an official Green Shirt Day shirt, it doesn’t matter. Just wear your leftovers from St. Patty’s Day.”

For those who are inclined to prepare for Green Shirt Day by ordering official merchandise, they can head to www.greenshirtday.ca. There is a variety of sizes and styles available, but only one colour - green

 

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