How Humboldt Broncos crash victim Logan Boulet inspired thousands to become organ donors

In the days and weeks to follow a tragic moment in Saskatchewan’s history, when 16 people lost their lives in a bus crash, something happened that became known as the Logan Boulet effect.

Logan was among the 10 Humboldt Broncos junior hockey players killed after a truck went through a stop sign and collided with the team bus on April 6, 2018.

Two coaches, a team athletic therapist, a statistician, radio announcer and the bus driver were also killed.

“It’s a sad day for us, it’s a sad, sad day for many families. It makes us feel good that people remember Logan and remember the Humboldt Broncos,” said Logan’s father Toby Boulet as the five-year anniversary of the bus crash approaches.

Logan, who succumbed to his injuries the day after the crash, was a registered organ donor. He would go on to save the lives of six others by donating his organs.

What happened next is known as the Logan Boulet effect. As news spread of the donations by the young hockey player, it is estimated almost 150,000 people registered to become a donor in the aftermath.

Now April 7 is known as Green Shirt Day to honour Logan and to support organ donor awareness in Canada.

“By being advocates, we’re giving hope to families,” said Toby Boulet, co-founder of Green Shirt Day. “Because if someone in their family can live longer, the family lives longer. It touches not just the person whose life is being changed forever, it touches all of their family members.”

Logan was inspired by his coach and mentor Ric Suggitt to become an organ donor. Suggitt, who passed June 27, 2017, was also an organ donor and saved six lives.

Logan Boulet’s coach and mentor Ric Suggitt. (Submitted by: Toby Boulet)

The Canadian Transplant Association (CTA) says more than 4,500 Canadians are on the waitlist for an organ transplant each year, and the need is constant.

“So we need to always continue the conversations, and keep the awareness and conversation there, and keep letting Canadians know that this is an every day kind of thing we need to have awareness with. And make sure you’re registered, make sure you’re having those conversations,” said Brenda Brown, the president of the CTA.

“April is also Donor Awareness Month, and it’s serendipitous that Green Shirt Day happens to land in April.”

Canadians are encouraged to wear green on April 7 to remember the Humboldt Broncos and in honour of the Logan Boulet effect.

Graphic for Green Shirt Day. (Submitted by: Toby Boulet)