As the country observes the first anniversary since the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, people are also remembering the selflessness of one of those who died.
Shortly before the crash, Logan Boulet signed his organ donation card, an act that benefited six people after his death.
Since then, April 7 has been proclaimed Green Shirt Day to raise awareness around organ donation.
“That was kind of what Logan was about. Giving to others and giving back and how could he help others,” said his mother, Bernadine.
“I’m really proud that Logan was able to make an impact at a time when his life was not going to be moving on.”
In the weeks following the crash, thousands of other Canadians were registering to become organ donors themselves, something that has been called the “Logan Boulet Effect.”
Bernadine said her son helped break the taboo of discussing organ donation, which involves talking about death. She said Boulet sparked conversations about people’s wishes after they die.
At first, Boulet’s sister, Mariko, said hearing about Boulet’s life-saving decision was little solace for losing her brother at 21 years old.
“That doesn’t mean that I’m OK with what happened because he saved six people, but now as time comes along, you understand more of the impact of what happened,” Mariko said.
“I wish he was here and all that but knowing he made this gift has more meaning than it did in the initial stages.”