‘Means so much’: Green Shirt Day campaign kicks off in Lethbridge

Logan Boulet's parents and organ transplant advocates joined together to kick off this year's Green Shirt Day campaign.

April 6 will mark seven years since the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

The collision killed 16 members of the Broncos hockey team.

Twenty-one-year-old Lethbridge native Logan Boulet died a day later from his injuries.

“It’s really hard to acknowledge the fact that almost seven years have slipped by since Logan passed. His legacy continues to strengthen as we remember his knowing grin, his massive heart,” said Logan’s mother, Bernadine Boulet.

Following his death, Logan’s organs were donated and helped to save the lives of six people.

He was inspired by his coach, Ric Suggitt, who also had his organs donated after he died.

Logan’s act of selflessness inspired Green Shirt Day, which is commemorated every April 7.

“Our journey evolves and has changed dramatically since those two days in the hospital in Saskatoon. We continue to learn so much about the transplant community and strive to be advocates for organ and tissue donation and registration, not only in southern Alberta, Alberta, Saskatchewan, across our country,” said Toby Boulet, Logan’s father.

The story of Logan’s donation made headlines around Canada and the world.

Organ donor registrations saw an immediate uptick as people were inspired by the story.

That increase has been coined “the Logan Boulet effect.”

“Green Shirt Day means so much to every organ transplant recipient. It also means a lot to those living organ donors and those families whose loved ones' lives have been saved through untold organ donations,” said Jan Clemis, an organ transplant recipient and Canadian Transplant Association representative.

Logan’s parents have been instrumental in carrying on the legacy of the Humboldt Broncos.

For all their hard work, they were given King Charles III coronation medals after being nominated by the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

“As we go through the many different events that we do on a regular basis here in Lethbridge, and I think about the many (things) that Toby and Bernadine do on a regular basis, it just brings back the fact and the importance of having this day,” said Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen.

A Green Shirt Day family skate will be held at the Logan Boulet Arena on April 7 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.