Episode 12: Living the Heart Life — Embracing Challenges and Championing Change

In this episode, we delve into the deeply personal and transformative journey of Marc Bains, who was catapulted onto a life-changing path following a heart failure diagnosis at the age of 23.

He unfolds his decade-long experience with heart failure, revealing how his initial fears evolved into a story of adaptation and resilience, marked by crucial treatment developments and a heart transplant that transformed his lived experience as a patient into a passionate advocate. During this episode, Marc discusses the creation of HeartLife Foundation, a national patient-led heart failure organization, and the inspiring term ‘Heart Life’ – a concept born from the desire to positively redefine living with heart failure and transform the lives of those with heart failure through education, empowerment, and engagement.

Ann-Marie and Marc explore his impactful journey of advocacy, the community’s role in providing support to folks with cardiovascular disease, and the collective effort to push for equitable care within healthcare policy. The creation of the Canadian Heart Failure Patient and Caregiver Charter and collaboration with Senator Yona Martin, who is tabling a private member bill for a national strategy for heart failure, are just two examples of the collective strides being taken to empower those who are navigating heart failure and promote access to equitable, high-quality care.

Click here for more information on the HeartLife Patient and Caregiver Charter.

Click here for more information on the Canadian Heart Function Alliance

Bill S-284 – An Act to Establish a National Framework on Heart Failure