Raising awareness for organ donation. April 7th is Green Shirt day, and is also the first anniversary of the passing of Humboldt Broncos defenseman, Logan Boulet. Boulet succumbed to his injuries after the team's fatal bus crash the day before. He became an organ donor, saving six lives. This became known as the ‘Boule Effect’.

Sandra LaRose shared with Discover Weyburn how Boulet also inspired her daughter Kailynn Bursic-Panchuk, who passed away in August after a fatal collision with a train. 

“She chose to become an organ donor at that time after reading Logan's story,” she said. “She told myself and my husband about it, and put her sticker on her health card. So, we're hoping that we can keep it going and everybody will do the same thing.”

Special Green Shirt day shirts honouring Kailynn will be available for order until noon tomorrow. See below for details. All proceeds for Green Shirt day going toward the Canadian Transplant Program.

As Saskatchewan doesn't have an organ registry, LaRose is urging all potential organ donors to share their wishes with loved ones.

“Right now to become an organ donor in Saskatchewan, it's based on who you tell and whether they honour your wishes, so in addition to putting that sticker on your health card, you need to let people know that that's your choice,” she said.

She said she is going to try to work towards getting a registry.

“It's my understanding that we're the only province that doesn't have a registry besides the Yukon and the Territories,” she explained. “But I feel it's important because you always have that chance that your wish won't be fulfilled.”

“I can't even fathom not following through with Kailynn's wishes, because that choice wasn't mine at that point in time when she was declared braindead,” said LaRose. “That choice was hers, and I was just the voice.”

The shirts being created in Kailynn’s memory are men’s preshrunk cotton, with decals on the back upper middle just below the neckline. Orders can be placed with Grand Image Design in Weyburn or via email to shawna@grandimgdesign.com. Include in your email order the full name (and shipping address if shipping is required), shirt size, decal choice (Hero, Sunflower, or Ribbon). This is the email for e-transfers as well. Total with a decal is $25.56. Order cut off will be Friday, March 15th at noon.

“Out of town orders, if you are from Regina, I will collect the shirts and bring them to the city prior to April 7,” said LaRose. “Anyone ordering from further away, Grand Image can ship the shirt to you at a cost of $15 for shipping and handling charged to you. Please mention shipping in your email and provide a shipping address.”

Read more HERE and HERE.