SASKATOON — The athletic therapist for the Humboldt Broncos has become the 16th person to die following a horrific bus crash in Saskatchewan last week.
Relatives of Dayna Brons, 24, said they will remember her "joyful smile."
Brons died Wednesday afternoon in a Saskatoon hospital from injuries sustained in Friday's crash.
"She was surrounded by those she loved and those who loved her," her family said in a statement. "Dayna will be forever remembered for her joyful smile, and her passion and love of sport."
The team was on its way to a playoff game when the bus collided with a semi truck at an intersection near Tisdale, Sask.
Brons, who was from Lake Lenore, Sask., suffered serious head trauma and had undergone two surgeries.
She had been on a breathing apparatus and was in an induced coma.
Brons was extremely proud to be part of the Broncos team, her family said.
"Dayna's family would like to thank the first responders, emergency staff, and all those who have cared for Dayna over these last few days for their support. And, they would like to thank everyone across Saskatchewan and Canada for their love and prayers during this very difficult time," the family said.
The family requested privacy as it grieves.
Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy said he spent about half an hour with Brons and her family when he visited the victims of the bus crash last week.
"We spent a lot of time in that room and it's just sad," said Kennedy, who has farmland in Saskatchewan.
He said Dayna was asleep while he was there but he visited with her family.
"I think there was hope for everyone but the injuries on that accident were significant for everyone."
"I was pulling for her. I was just hoping that she'd get through that."
Lacrosse and soccer teams that Brons also worked with had offered their support for the keen, happy trainer on social media. So did Canadian women's hockey Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser.
"'The only girl on the boys team' ... Dayna I’ve been thinking of you a lot! Praying you pull through," she said.
After the news was released by her family, Wickenheiser expressed her condolences.
"The worst news," she wrote. "RIP Dayna. The boys will take care of you up there."
The Saskatchewan Roughriders organization also expressed its condolences.
The team said Dayna worked with the Riders during 2016 training camp.
"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dayna Brons," the team said.
Athletic therapist Neal Demmans, who used to work with the Broncos, met Brons when they both ended up working with the Saskatoon Swat lacrosse program in 2015.
She was a happy person who was always willing to learn more, he said.
And as athletic trainers, they were always treated like teammates.
"We were the first ones there and the last ones to leave," he said.
He fondly remembers how some coaches joked about Brons head butting an out-of-control mother during a tournamen.
"Of course this was just them teasing Dayna because she's such a nice person," he said.
"I think that's what I would like to focus on — her smile in that moment."
Demmans said when the Broncos needed a new trainer, he suggested Brons and she joined them last year.
He knew she would have no problem working with a group of male hockey players.
Brons graduated from University of Regina, where she got a degree in Kinesiology and Health Studies. She also took an advanced certificate in Athletic Therapy at Mount Royal University in Calgary.
CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES SAYS DONATIONS SPIKED AFTER HUMBOLDT BRONCOS BUS CRASH
TORONTO — There's been a national "spike" in donations of blood in the wake of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan that left 16 people dead and 13 others injured, the Canadian Blood Services said Thursday.
Several cities in Western Canada have seen donation increases of about 25 per cent above their averages, including Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton, while at least one clinic in Saskatchewan had a 50 per cent increase, said spokesman Hailu Mulatu.
"We have received so many requests from so many people and organizations reaching out to us about what they can do, interest in organizing a blood drive at their site or coming as a group to donate," said Mulatu, adding donations were also up about 10 per cent in the Greater Toronto Area.
"Overall we can say at the national level we have seen a spike."
On Wednesday, Luke Jackiw of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health said the province had received thousands of requests for stickers that residents can apply to their health card to indicate they'd like to donate their organs.
He said the phones were "ringing off the hook" and attributed the response to the story of 21-year-old defenceman Logan Boulet of Lethbridge, Alta., who was on life support after the crash until his organs could be donated.
"There's been an overwhelming number of calls ... (from) individuals to register their intent to donate organs," Jackiw said, but added that Saskatchewan does not have an organ donation registry — the stickers are used to convey a will to be a donor, but consent from family or a next-of-kin is still needed when end-of-life decisions are made.
"The important thing you can do, as Logan did, is talk to your family and let them know what your wishes are."
Canadians have also opened their wallets to help support the families of the victims of last Friday's crash, which occurred outside Tisdale, Sask.
Over $9.4 million has been pledged to a GoFundMe campaign, which the crowdfunding website says is the largest ever in Canada.
More than 100,000 donors in 65 countries have contributed to the campaign — ranked among the five most successful campaigns ever on the platform — with donations ranging from $5 to $50,000 coming from individuals, families, sports teams and multinational corporations.
