A special light is being shone on organ and tissue donation today (Monday), as it is Green Shirt Day.
The day was created on April 7th, 2019 - exactly one year to the day that former Humboldt Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet donated his organs following his death as a result of the Broncos bus crash one day earlier.
The decision has sparked a country-wide movement known as the Logan Boulet effect, with over seven thousand Manitobans alone signing up at www.signupforlife.ca since that day.
Besides signing up as a donor, Dr. Owen Mooney with Transplant Manitoba says it is extremely important to discuss your decision with your loved ones.
"Our consent rates for people that are all for donations are around 50 per cent. But we know that just having ne conversation around the dinner table = if you let your family know your intent or thoughts or wishes when it comes to organ donation, it increases that consent rate up to 90 per cent. So it has a huge impact just opening the conversation."
There are currently over 4,000 Canadians waiting for an organ donation.
Here in Manitoba, over 200 people are waiting for kidney transplants while a further 30 wait for either heart, lungs or liver transplants.
