What a Privilege to Be Part of Mortal and Strong Event in Waterloo💛
- Mark Preston
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
It was an absolute privilege to not only be invited to attend the Mortal and Strong event in Waterloo but also to be asked to speak as part of the panel discussing congenital heart conditions. Being able to share my personal story, my concerns, and connect with others doing incredible work in this space was truly humbling and inspiring.
During the panel, I also took the opportunity to share some simple but important research I had carried out in the lead-up to the event. I looked at the 10 closest defibrillators to the venue—and found that only 4 were actually emergency ready.
This isn't a one-off. Through my work with communities and travels around the country, I’ve found that at least 10% of defibrillators listed on The Circuit are not accessible when needed. Shockingly, in some areas, I’ve seen this figure reach as high as 90%. This is both frightening and unacceptable.
We must do more to ensure that funded and part-funded defibrillators remain operational and accessible 24/7. The guardians or designated contacts for these life-saving devices need to check them regularly and take action if there's an issue. An unavailable defibrillator is a missed opportunity to save a life — and we simply cannot afford that.
I am proud to have shared this platform with amazing organisations like:
🫀 MISSEDABEAT – dedicated to placing defibs and bleed kits in communities
❤️ HeartCharged – founded by two inspiring sisters who turned their heart journeys into a mission to protect others
🌍 Together in Awareness – ensuring access to lifesaving equipment and education
🎵 Steve Reid Foundation – supporting musicians through health and hardship, led by the power of music
🎨 And of course, the Scars of Gold exhibition, highlighting the stories and strength of 100 remarkable women facing over 150 different health conditions.
Thank you to Dr. Liz Murray and the team for creating such a powerful, thought-provoking event, and for giving these stories and charities a platform. When we come together, we not only raise awareness — we build relationships, share knowledge, and strengthen our impact.
Let’s keep pushing forward. Together.
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