LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Kidney Foundation of Canada would like you to take the time to consider organ and tissue donation.

The Logan Boulet Effect continues to inspire so many people.

Logan’s father, Toby says it’s hard to believe three years has nearly gone by since the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash. “It’s tough some days, but we are really happy the Kidney Foundation and Canadian Blood Services have stepped up to be our community partners for our campaign.”

“Together Strong” is the 2021 Green Shirt Day slogan.  It encourages Canadians to unite online and bring enthusiasm and green shirts to their online platforms.

This year, with COVID-19 restrictions in effect to varying degrees across the country, it is key that Canadians get creative about how to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and encourage even more Canadians to register on Green Shirt Day.

“Though the pandemic may keep us apart, ‘Together Strong’, the 2021 Green Shirt Day campaign slogan, reminds us to unite online to inspire conversations about the powerful impact of organ donation,” says Toby Boulet.

It is estimated that almost 150,000 Canadians registered as organ and tissue donors in the weeks following the 2018 Humboldt crash that took Logan life and led to him becoming an organ and tissue donor. To date, this is the largest number of Canadians registering to become organ donors in Canadian History due to one event – one person and it became known as the “Logan Boulet Effect”.

However, there is more work to be done, and more who could be inspired. The Kidney Foundation says donation rates across Canada and in Alberta are still low. 90% of Canadians say that they support organ and tissue donation; however, in practice less than 23% have made plans to donate.

Green Shirt Day honours and remembers Logan and all donors for their generosity. With the hope of amplifying the ‘Logan Boulet Effect’ year after year to improve donation rates and encourage millions of Canadians to register as organ donors and to talk about their wish with their families.

(With files from Kidney Foundation of Canada)