Sometimes good things come out of terrible tragedies. The death of Canadian hockey player is believed to have inspired droves of people to become organ donors.
Humboldt Bronco Logan Boulet was riding in his team’s bus when it collided with a semi-truck that was traveling to play a game in Saskatchewan.
There was a total of 15 fatalities on the bus ride, including players, the coach and the bus driver. Boulet was just 21-years-old and signed up to be an organ donor on his birthday which was a few weeks prior to his death.
That decision ended up providing organs to six different people in need. Boulet’s godfather, Neil Langevin, took to Facebook to explain the impact Boulet’s donation made.
“Logan’s strong heart continues to beat, allowing a surgical team from the U of A hospital to travel to Saskatoon for organ transplant procedures. There have been matches made for all vital organs, including a patient set to receive his heart and lungs. All counted, six people will receive the gift of life from Logan. The family will stay with Logan until the surgery begins at around 2 a.m.,” Langevin wrote.
“Logan had made it known, and very clear to his family, that he had signed his organ donor card when he turned 21 just a few weeks ago. Following the organ surgery, his other organs will be donated to science as he requested. These actions alone give voice to the selfless and benevolent nature Logan possessed in life for others, truly taught and fostered by Toby and Bernie.”
Now Alberta Health Services says the number of people who have signed up to be organ donors has skyrocketed, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Normally there are about 425 people who sign up between Sunday to Monday, but there were 3,071 over the last weekend. Amy Montgomery is a transplant recipient who said Boulet’s story resonated with her.
“Knowing that this young man chose to sign his donor card and donate is just such a remarkable thing for someone so young,” she said. “It just brings so much hope to me that the donor rates in Canada can rise and save people’s lives — just like someone saved mine.”
Some have called Boulet’s act heroic.
“As with many families across the globe our house is devastated with the news about the Humboldt Broncos,” Langevin said. “Our great friends, the Boulets have shared more news about their incredible son, (and our godson) Logan! He is a great hero and one of the nicest people you would have been lucky enough to meet.”
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