Larry Labbe wrote a letter to his donor family. (submitted photo/Larry Labbe)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

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Organ and tissue donation advocates ask Saskatchewan to wear green April 7

Apr 6, 2025 | 10:06 AM

Before being wheeled into surgery, Larry Labbe made a promise to himself and to God.

Eight months ago, he underwent a double lung transplant and when he emerged over six hours later, he came away with more than a new pair of lungs: Labbe had a new life and thus a promise to keep.

“I’m going to make it my mission to spread the word about tissue and organ donation,” he said.

Now an ambassador with Lung Saskatchewan, the man who had pulmonary fibrosis – an uncurable disease that hardens lung tissue – is asking people to have the hard talk about organ donation with their families.

Larry Labbe recovers following his double lung transplant last summer. (Submitted/Larry Labbe)

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“It’s a delicate issue,” he said.

This year marks seven years since the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. The day after the initial accident, Defenceman Logan Boulet died, and his parents donated his organs as per his wishes after he was inspired by his coach who had passed the year before.

Upon hearing of the young player’s donation which went on to save six lives, roughly 150,000 people from across Canada registered to become donors and it became known as the “Logan Boulet Effect.”

Now, Green Shirt Day, held on April 7, to commemorate the date of Boulet’s death, will once again bring awareness to the issue and the City of North Battleford will light up the water tower green.

“We just gotta keep on pushing and trying to get people just to talk about it,” Labbe said of the ultimate gift that can save eight lives.

“I don’t think it’s that scary of a thing because I think once you’re gone, you’re gone, but some people may not want to do that.”

Larry Labbe joins North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin and a member of Lung Saskatchewan for a playoff puck drop in March. (Kennedy Schmidt Photo)

The organization dates back to 1911, after tuberculosis began making its way around Saskatchewan and across the country. Now, it advocates for the one in five people who have some form of lung disease.

According to Deborah Kies, director of development and marketing with Lung Saskatchewan, there’s more than just being a match from a biological standpoint for those needing lung transplants. The lungs also have to be the right fit physically.

“It’s kind of an interesting challenge,” she said.

Another roadblock for patients is that there isn’t a surgical team in the province that can perform transplants. Labbe had to go to Edmonton for his surgery.

“We’re trying to create awareness and also raise some funds to support the Lung Alberta – they are actually building a house,” Kies said, noting the house will work much like Ronald McDonald Homes.

First and foremost, the important thing, is communication.

“A lot of people don’t realize that… your family can override your wishes, so it is really important to have those conversations with your family, in addition to registering,” said Kies.

“You don’t want someone at that drastic time to be having to think about it. If you’ve already made the decision for them and it’s a sad and trying time obviously, so that way they know.”

Larry Labbe’s lungs were hardened from pulmonary fibrosis. (submitted photo/Larry Labbe)

Even though Labbe had a transplant, his donor card is still active, and they are welcome to take whatever they can – tissue included.

Now, he has a wish of his own: to meet the family of his donor.

“That’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he said referring to the letter he wrote that he agonized over.

“It took probably two weeks on and off just thinking ‘What am I going to say?’”

To help, the transplant team encouraged Labbe and assured him there were no right or wrong words.

“I’m just waiting to hear back from them,” he said.

“It might not ever happen, but if it does, I’d sure like to talk to them or even meet them.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social