Every family hopes they'll never receive the phone call that changes everything. For the families of Ben McDonald and Kory Russell, that moment came far too soon.

Both were vibrant young men with their whole lives ahead of them. Their sudden deaths left families, friends and communities devastated, and raised the heartbreaking question that so many families ask afterwards:

Could this have been prevented?

Rather than allowing tragedy to define them, Ben’s mum, Ruth McDonald, and Kory’s mum, Rhi Russell, chose a different path.

Today they serve as President and Vice President of Calon Hearts, working alongside the charity to help ensure fewer families experience what they have. Together, they have transformed personal loss into a powerful mission to save lives through heart screening, CPR education and access to defibrillators.

Now, throughout October 1–16, Calon Hearts is inviting people across Wales to join them by taking part in the Go Yellow Campaign.

Whether it's wearing yellow to work or school, holding a bake sale, organising a sponsored challenge or bringing a community together for a fundraising event, every pound raised will help fund the charity's lifesaving work and spread one simple message:

Screen Early. Save Lives.

Go Yellow this October graphic
(Calon Hearts)

Since it was founded, Calon Hearts has screened almost 38,000 hearts, trained almost 605,000 people in CPR and helped place more than 37,000 defibrillators into communities across the UK.

Yet every week, an estimated 12 people die from sudden cardiac death, often with little or no warning.

Behind every one of those statistics is a family whose life has changed forever.

The Go Yellow Campaign exists because Ben and Kory's families believe that awareness, early detection and education can change that story for someone else.

Ruth McDonald, President of Calon Hearts, said:

"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about Ben. If sharing his story encourages just one young person to be screened or inspires someone to raise funds that help save another family from experiencing what ours has been through, then his legacy lives on."

Rhi Russell, Vice President of Calon Hearts, added:

"Kory should still be here. But his legacy isn't defined by how he died, but by the lives that can be saved because people choose to act. If his story inspires just one family to book a heart screening, one school to hold a fundraiser or one person to learn CPR, then Kory's legacy will continue to save lives."

Sharon Owen, Founder and Chief Executive of Calon Hearts, said:

"Go Yellow is about standing beside families who have turned their greatest heartbreak into hope for others. Every fundraiser helps us reach more communities, screen more young people and save more lives."

Calon Hearts is encouraging schools, businesses, sports clubs, community groups and individuals to download its fundraising pack and organise their own Go Yellow event during the campaign.

Because behind every yellow ribbon, every yellow shirt and every fundraising challenge is the chance to help another family avoid the unimaginable.

This October, wear yellow. Raise funds. Help save a life. Download your fundraising pack here.