The community is invited to a conversation on the Gift of Life Wednesday night.
Toby and Bernadine Boulet helped launch Green Shirt Day (April 7) in response to the organ donation movement after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018, honouring their son Logan’s selfless decision to become an organ donor that saved six lives.
They’re here from Lethbridge, Alberta joining the Dugas family and NoahStrong to share their message of hope, compassion, and the life-saving impact of organ donation.
“We have a message that is similar, and we just really want to help our communities and help our people,” says Bernadine. “To carry on and for people to know that what they do makes a difference in their lives and other people’s lives.”
Toby Boulet says it’s easy to work with kind people like Jody and Dave Dugas.
“Our story is different than Noah’s story,” he says. “It’s different in how it was set up and how each family is responding. Both are responding with kindness. We try to be kind. Logan was kind. Noah was kind. The Dugas family we know are kind people.”
Noah’s final gift enriched seven lives through organ donation.
“On a day that was very hard for us knowing that other families were able to have hope that their family members would continue to be here, I think Noah would be happy and proud that he was able to save lives,” says Jody Dugas, Noah’s mom. “For us that’s a big part knowing there’s a little bit of him out there.”
NoahStrong was created to honour Noah’s life and to continue his message of resilience, connection, and caring for others.
Dave Dugas says awareness around becoming an organ donor is key.
“In most cases we find that people are more than happy to do it,” he says. “It’s kind of an awareness thing. They weren’t aware and maybe they missed clicking that box when they renewed their license.”
Wednesday’s community conversation is on the impact of organ donation and features both Families, and organ donor recipients.
It’s taking place at 7 pm at the Nipissing University Student Centre (NUSU).
Admission is free.
The Boulet’s are also sharing Logan’s story and inspiration with local high school students.
