Mark Black – The Heart (and Lungs) of Compassion

Today Marcus is joined by Mark Black who shares his story of compassion and courage as a survivor of major medical intervention. Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Mark survived two dangerous open-heart surgeries before he turned one. He continued to live with the condition until he discovered he needed a heart and double-lung transplant. Three years later, he ran his first full marathon. Explaining the transplant process and his patient experience pre and post-transplant, Mark’s story is one of emotional survival. Listen as he shares the sacrifices his family made on his behalf, how he decided to run a marathon and anecdotes about his love of psychedelic rock music. Resources for you: More communication tips and resources for how to cultivate compassion: https://marcusengel.com/freeresources/Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/Learn more about Marcus’ Books: https://marcusengel.com/store/ Learn more about Mark Black: https://markblack.ca/Learn more about Mark Black’s Books: https://markblack.ca/marcusSubscribe to the podcast through Apple: https://bit.ly/MarcusEngelPodcastSubscribe to the podcast through Spotify: https://bit.ly/Spotify-MarcusEngelPodcastSubscribe to the podcast through YouTube: https://bit.ly/Youtube-MarcusEngelPodcast About Mark Black:Mark Black is a husband and father of three. He is also the only man in history to have completed a marathon with someone else’s heart and lungs.Born with a life-threatening heart defect, Mark underwent open-heart surgery on his first day of life. He was not expected to live a long life. Mark battled his condition and its limitations for twenty-two years when his doctors informed him that time had run out. His heart was failing badly and without a rare heart and double-lung transplant, he would not survive another year.In October 2001, Mark moved thousands of kilometers from home and was put on the transplant waiting list. After nearly a year of waiting, and time running out, by the grave of God, a donor was found. Mark received a second chance at life and has not wasted a moment because he knows exactly how precious time is.Mark’s transplant is a treatment, not a cure. He continues to take medication to prevent rejection of the organs. The average lifespan of someone with his transplant is 5-10 years. It’s been 16 years since Mark’s transplant. He is in his 40s. It is very unlikely Mark will live to see his 50’s. This is what makes his message so powerful. He lives the strategies and principles he teaches and he is filled with passion and purpose for his work precisely because he doesn’t know how much more time he’ll be afforded to do it. Date: 6/26/2023Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in HealthcareEpisode title and number: Episode 108 – Mark Black – The Heart (and Lungs) of Compassion