Green Shirt Day marks eight years since Humboldt Broncos bus crash

Lethbridge's Logan Boulet was one of 16 Humboldt Broncos players killed in a 2018 crash. His legacy is inspiring many to become organ donors, eight years later.

It’s been eight years since Lethbridge’s Logan Boulet died from injuries sustained in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash — but his legacy as an organ donor continues to live on.

Boulet was one of the 16 people killed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018.

While he officially died on April 7, Logan’s family considers April 6 to be the day he passed.

They commemorate every April 7 as a day of celebration rather than mourning.

“We use it as much as we can as a celebration of green shirt day. We donate plasma today, we go for dinner tonight at one of Logan’s favourite restaurants just for fun. Just try to make a celebration,” said Toby Boulet, Logan’s father.

Not long before he died, Logan had signed up to become an organ donor. That decision kick started a national movement and Green Shirt Day.

He was inspired by his mentor and family friend, Ric Suggit, whose organs saved the lives of six people when he died.

Logan’s organs likewise helped save six people.

“Our hope is that we can create a new culture where people talk about organ and tissue donation, and it’s not like a subject that’s taboo or it’s daunting. But it becomes more of an everyday topic,” said Bernadine Boulet, Logan’s mother.

Logan’s story made national headlines.

Almost 150,000 Canadians became organ donors following the crash, which has since been dubbed the “Logan Boulet effect.”

Now, Green Shirt Day is celebrated every April 7 to promote organ donation.

“By being able to donate, he has made an impact on so many,” Bernadine said, adding that she is “really proud to know” that Logans legacy continues to inspire people to become organ donors.

Logan’s family now spends much of their time working on the Green Shirt Day cause.

They’re proud to see how much of an impact logan’s story continues to have eight years later.

“We work all the time, and we like to do that. It’s something and we just want to do that,” Toby said.