Co-Founder, HeartLife Foundation, Canada
I have personally experienced living with heart failure, having received a diagnosis at the age of 23. I am very aware of the importance of peer support to maintain a high quality of life and live well with the condition. I became determined to address the lack of support and stark care disparities for heart failure across Canada; this led me to co-found the HeartLife Foundation. I strongly believe in our approach to our work: ‘It’s about life. Not failure.’
Our advocacy group, HeartLife Foundation, has built an extensive network of relationships with key healthcare providers and societies, like the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Canadian Heart Failure Society. This has enabled us to successfully put heart failure on the policy map. This includes the breakthrough of getting the ‘National Framework on Heart Failure Act’ tabled in the Canadian Senate.
I wanted to learn more about best practices globally. It is also a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals with a shared passion for improving the lives of people living with heart failure. I also value the dedication of the HFPN Secretariat in facilitating this international network – it has been a pleasure to work alongside Ed and the team.
International collaboration is key. I would like to see the Network provide more global forums to help tackle heart failure. I valued participating in the Heart Failure Policy Summit 2024 and found it to be an impactful opportunity to (virtually) convene the heart failure community for knowledge-sharing and best practice exchange.
To truly drive improvements in heart failure, we need a global mandate to improve screening, diagnosis and management. This needs to be presented to the World Health Organization and the World Heart Federation to boost the weight of our calls in political areas. Addressing heart failure must be seen as a necessity, not an option.
For me, the emerging evidence on the impact of diabetes medications on heart failure outcomes is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Spending time with my partner and daughter, golfing with friends, and driving my 1969 Pontiac Firebird.
The Heart Failure Policy Network brings together experts who are united in their passion: to improve outcomes for people living with heart failure.
We share profiles of our members to showcase what led them to work in heart failure, and find out about changes they would like to see in prevention and care.
