On August 13, 2005, the first World Organ Donation Day was celebrated.

The Spanish National Transplant Organization organised the day to raise awareness about the need for people to sign organ donation cards. August 13 was picked to honour Dr. Christiaan Barnard, who was born on that day. The theme for 2025 is Answering the Call. 

This theme highlights the vital function that professionals play in the organ donation community and calls on them to strengthen their dedication and teamwork to save more lives. In the end, it gives patients and their families hope by honouring their compassion and dedication and acting as a call to action for further progress in organ donation and transplantation.  
World Organ Donation Day 2025 – History, Importance and Facts

Organ and Tissue Donation
Issued in 2022 by Canada Post
Designed by Kristine Do

A complimentary initiative to World Organ Donation Day is Green Shirt Day, held April 7. Although on a different day, it holds a very special significance for many Canadians – that’s the day Humboldt Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet’s parents donated his organs. The previous day the young hockey player, with 16 teammates were killed in a horrific crash. The donation meant 6 people were given a new chance at life. 

On April 7, 2018, Humboldt Broncos defenceman Logan Boulet succumbed to his injuries. His parents, Bernadine and Toby Boulet offered to donate his organs so that six lives could live on. They did so because Logan told his parents he was registering as an organ donor and that he was inspired by his coach and mentor Ric Suggitt. Ric passed on June 27th, 2017 and was also an organ donor and saved 6 lives. 

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As news spread of the organ donation by this young hockey player, it is estimated that almost 150,000 people registered to become organ donors in the days and weeks that followed. To date, this is the largest number of Canadians registering to become organ donors in Canadian History due to one event – one person.

Green Shirt Day was created to honour, remember, and recognize all the victims and families of that fatal crash and to continue Logan’s legacy by inspiring Canadians to talk to their families and register as organ donors.
About – Green Shirt Day

Since 2017, donation foundations estimate hundreds of thousands of Canadians have signed donation cards. A small act that can have a profound effect on someone’s life. 

The 2024 Stamp of the Day featured Pakistan! Pakistan’s National Anthem, Qaumī Tarānāh was played on Radio Pakistan for the first time August 13, 1954.