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The fourth annual Green Shirt Day on April 7 encourages Canadians to unite and bring their enthusiasm and green shirts to all platforms and in their communities. As a proud partner of Green Shirt Day, The Kidney Foundation of Canada is asking all Canadians to take time on April 7 to consider organ and tissue donation, find out how to register in their province or territory, and to have a conversation about it.

Green Shirt Day was created to amplify the “Logan Boulet Effect.” On April 7, 2018, Humboldt Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet succumbed to his injuries after the previous day’s tragic bus crash that claimed the lives of 29 passengers. Only a few weeks earlier, 21-year-old Logan had spoken to his parents, Toby and Bernadine, about his desire to be an organ donor. This conversation prompted them to donate his organs, saving six lives.

It has been estimated that close to 150,000 Canadians were moved by Logan’s gift of life and registered to become organ donors in the weeks that followed the tragedy. Since then, Green Shirt Day has been observed every April 7. During the day, everyone is encouraged to wear green, consider organ and tissue donation and have a conversation about it with their loved ones. 

“The Logan Boulet Effect continues to be a source of inspiration for us, and indeed, for all Canadians,” says Elizabeth Myles, National Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. “Canada needs more organ donors. We encourage everyone to think about organ donation and  have open discussions about their personal decision, to help educate others, and tell their loved ones about their choice.”

According to information recently released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 77% of the 4,100 Canadians on the waiting list for an organ transplant are waiting for a kidney. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of 75 people. Discover more reasons Why Canada Needs More Organ Donors. 

As part of Green Shirt Day, The Kidney Foundation will engage in a wide variety of awareness-building activities and share inspiring stories about organ donation throughout the month of April, which is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month.

A growing number of provincial entities, municipalities and organizations across Canada have come together to declare April 7 as Green Shirt Day; many communities will light monuments and places of interest green to show their support. 

To find out how you can register to be an organ donor, visit kidney.ca/greenshirtday