Logan Boulet's family joined the Taber Golden Suns on ice on Feb 26 in recognition of the upcoming Green Shirt Day.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
As the fourth annual Green Shirt Day approaches, individuals in Medicine Hat and across the country are starting conversations about organ donation in the hopes of recruiting new donors and in recognition of those who have donated.
Green Shirt Day began in 2019 in honour of Logan Boulet, one of 29 passengers injured in the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash, and one of 16 who passed away. A registered organ donor, Boulet’s legacy lived on in six other individuals following his passing and inspired approximately 150,000 Canadians to become organ donors.
Since then, the number of new organ donor registrants plateaued, something Green Shirt Day organizers hope will increase as awareness does.
“Although many people think organ donation is meaningful and impactful, they still haven’t registered,” Jan Clemis, provincial director with the Canadian Transplant Association, told the News. “Here in Alberta we’re second (last) in terms of organ donation registrations across Canada.
“So many people die on the waiting list every single year and it’s just because of lack of donors. When people have to wait for a long time, sometimes their health declines so, even though they might have been eligible to receive a kidney or lungs three years ago, by the time those three years have passed, maybe they’re not in the same physical condition.”
While studies show approximately 90 per cent of Canadians agree with organ donation, less than 35 per cent are registered as donors.
“Our goal across Canada for 2022 is to register 100,000 new donors,” Clemis said. “It can be done on your phone or your laptop. It’s an easy process.”
Beyond registering new donors, Clemis hopes Green Shirt Day will simply spread awareness about organ donation. Several local institutions have scheduled learning opportunities for April 7, including Medicine Hat’s Public School Division.
“We’re going to be showing a video Logan Boulet’s mother had been in,” Heather McCaig, teacher at Crescent Heights High School and MHPSD Green Shirt Day organizer, told the News. “We’re going to ask all teachers to show it to all students in the school. Then, the students are going to have a survey to fill in and they’ll be entered into a draw to win some plush organs.”
The school’s leadership students have also teamed up with Canadian Blood Services to host an info table set up where students can learn more about organ donation.
Student’s in the division’s elementary schools will also be partaking by making cards for individuals on the organ transplant list, as well as those recovering from transplants.
McCaig hopes the day sparks discussion among students and families.
“It’s a hugely important discussion,” McCaig said. “It’s a hard topic, but it’s something where families need to know their loved one’s wishes if something ever happens.”
Clemis also believes families should discuss organ donation, so each individual is clear on what should take place in the event of a family member’s passing.
“Most people don’t realize, even if you sign your donor card, if you haven’t expressed those wishes to your family, they may not know and may not agree to organ donation, if it comes to that. It’s so important for us to have that conversation.” she said.
Clemis is aware of the importance of such conversations, as her family has been directly impacted by organ donation. She herself is an organ recipient, as was her husband Kelly Clemis, who passed in 2017.
“It’s so hard to express into words to somebody who hasn’t gone through a transplant, the powerful meaning of a second chance,” she said.
In honour of Kelly and other local transplant recipients, Medicine Hat Mayor Linnsie Clark will be presenting a Green Shirt Day proclamation on April 7. That evening, the Saamis Tepee will be lit in green to acknowledge the day.
Clemis is thankful for the acknowledgement.
“It brings it into the forefront and says the city, the mayor, the council are all behind organ donation,” she said. “Any show or display or support, we’re just thrilled to see that happen.”
Anyone wishing to show support for organ donation is invited to wear green on April 7. More information about Green Shirt Day can be found online at greenshirtday.ca.
