Green Shirt Day 2026 Campaign Launches Urging Organ Donation

The annual Green Shirt Day campaign has officially launched in Lethbridge, Canada, with a renewed emphasis on the importance of registering as organ donors. This initiative honors the legacy of Logan Boulet, who tragically lost his life in a bus crash on April 6, 2018, involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team. The campaign aims to inspire Canadians to take action and register as organ donors, highlighting the profound impact such decisions can have on lives across the nation.

At the campaign kickoff on Tuesday morning, Toby Boulet, Logan’s father, expressed the ongoing grief his family experiences. “People expect that after a certain period of time everything is better; it’s not,” he stated. He described the daily struggle of coping with loss, illustrating how each morning begins with the realization that Logan is no longer present. “It’s like Groundhog Day… you wake up the same way – Logan isn’t going to call me today,” he added.

Logan Boulet’s decision to sign his organ donor card on his 21st birthday—an act inspired by his mentor, rugby coach Ric Suggitt—has since become a significant part of Canadian organ donation history. This decision led to the Logan Boulet Effect, a movement that saw over 150,000 Canadians register as organ donors within just two months following the tragedy.

The 2026 campaign is themed “One Decision Can Create a Lasting Ripple Effect.” Bernie Boulet, Logan’s mother, reflected on the public’s continued interest in her son’s story. “We’re always humbled that people want to continue to know his story and continue to want to know about him,” she remarked.

According to Joyce Van Deurzen, executive director of the Alberta branch of the Kidney Foundation, there remains a significant gap between intention and action when it comes to organ donation. “Ninety percent of people say they would be an organ donor, but less than half have registered,” she noted. Currently, over 4,000 Canadians are on the organ transplant waiting list, with more than 70 percent of them waiting for a kidney.

The 2026 campaign also features a new logo designed by Candace Sernowsky from Lorette West, Manitoba. Her design elements include a flying puck, crossed hockey sticks, a green organ donation ribbon, and Logan’s number 27, symbolizing movement, legacy, and hope.

As the Boulet family continues to share Logan’s story across the country, they emphasize the importance of making organ donation a more common topic of discussion. “Everyone wants to have a legacy; well, Logan has left a legacy of kindness,” Toby Boulet stated, underscoring the positive impact of their advocacy.

To mark Green Shirt Day, the Boulet family, in collaboration with the City of Lethbridge, will host a free public skate on April 7 from 16:30 to 18:30 at the Logan Boulet Arena. This event aims to bring the community together and further promote the message of organ donation.