Miracle Mason

Yesterday I learned great news. My young friend Mason, born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and severe pulmonary vein stenosis, is moving out of the pediatric intensive care unit at the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford into a regular hospital room almost tube free.

Truly, Mason's story has been a powerful example of faith on the part of all those involved, especially his mother Summer. From the first day she started a blog for Mason she referred to her son as Miracle Mason.

Everyone who has ever worked on his case fought to keep him around although most were unsure of his future.

The frustration of thinking there was no hope for this young man because of his extremely complicated heart and lung anatomy strengthened his parents resolve to explore all medical options with the hope a pediatric thoraic surgeon could perform a miracle on Mason.

The odds were stacked up against this young man, but his mother was determined to fight on, never looking back, and challenge every option, trying every last resort. To that end, we've witnessed a miracle because of a mother's love. The world needs more mothers like Masons.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." -Winston Churchill

Raising the Awareness

Photo: Raising the Organ Donation Flag at Ogden Regional Medical Center

Last week I attended an organ donation awareness event just north of my hometown at Ogden Regional Medical Center.

Together with two other organ recipients we briefly shared our story with those in attendance. One had received a kidney from his sister, while another woman received eyes to see, and I obviously a heart.

I continue to be amazed by the process and miracle of organ donation. I am a donor and hope those of you are as well.

Hope for Patrick

Congenital disorders have a wide variety of birth defects. One such serious problem is "short gut syndrome" meaning, the complete dysfunction of a large segment of bowel or simply they're missing most of their intestines.

I met Patrick Hoopes, an adorable little boy with big brown eyes and an infectious smile, while I was staying as a patient in the Primary Children's Medical Center waiting for my heart transplant.

When his parents Emily and Brian Hoopes adopted Patrick they knew he had some medical challenges, but did not know to what extent. They've loved this boy from the first time they saw him and knew he would be their son.

Doctors informed the Hoopes that Patrick needs an intestinal transplant or he will not live more than a few years. His family are traveling back and forth to Seattle Children's Hospital from Salt Lake City where Patrick has been listed for an intestinal transplant.

I promised the family that if I made it out the hospital alive I would do what I can to help. This is why I'm hosting a benefit concert for Patrick. It's a rare and unusual situation and I'm thrilled to be a small part of his amazing life.

For more information and to purchase concert tickets visit:
http://www.showclix.com/event/9223/

Sobering Events

Friday evening was humbling. Each year IDS, our local organization that manages the organ donation process holds an event honoring families of loved ones who’ve donated their organs, tissue, and bones. With nearly 1000 people crowding the West Valley Cultural Celebration Center some folks stood to watch the event unfold.

I performed, “Gracie’s Theme” and was followed by Courtnee Vanderlinden who told us about the beautiful life and character of her 4-year old niece Kyla Lambson who died after a tragic accident in which the little girl was run over by a vehicle and killed in the driveway of her home.

According to the Deseret News, “The girl, Kyla Lambson, had just arrived home with a neighbor who had taken her to church. The 37-year-old woman parked her SUV in the home's steep driveway and both got out of the vehicle. They were walking to the home's front door when the girl's brother yelled at them from across the street to come look at something he found. The neighbor and Kyla started walking down the driveway, behind the SUV, when the woman noticed her vehicle was rolling down the hill toward them. She tried to grab Kyla and pull her out of the way, but it was too late. The SUV ran over the little girl.

Sweet little Kyla slowly slipped out of her tiny body leaving her mother and family behind. It was then that I believe and I imagine the arms of a loving God, another who suffered a tragic death, on a cross, tenderly wrapped His arms around Kyla as He comforted her and welcomed her back home.

Image: "Security" by David Bowman

Later we watched a video featuring more than 100 people, who like Kyla, passed away leaving their organs to be donated to someone fighting to survive. One by one each soul who had passed has a story, a life, a family. It was hard to watch.

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the fragile nature of life. I’m reminded to make every moment count. No one can escape death. As the saying goes, “you won’t get out of here alive.” Are we ready? Are we prepared? What should we change in our lives? Have we said all the things we would want someone to hear? Following through on these questions will not only improve our lives and happiness, but it will strengthen the lives of those around us. Each time we say, “I love you” to another human being and truly mean it, there becomes a rippling effect that goes far beyond his or her own life. That love will carry beyond. The only thing that conquers pain and the suffering of the world is love.

Inside my chest beats the heart of a young man. I think about him every day. I thank the God in Heaven for his life. I look forward to thanking him when my life is over. Just as Jesus has laid down his life for you and me that we might some day live again, so has my organ donor made it possible for me to live again for another season.

I’m not sure how long that will be? This past week I got word that my friend Emily, who received a heart transplant two months before I was listed for my own, who inspired me with her optimism at the time, passed away from complications of heart failure. She was a huge contribution of service and kindness to our community and loved by many. She will be greatly missed. She’s left her husband Peter and two children.

All of this is sobering. I’m reminded I have an unknown future. I pray I may live to love, as Emily and Kyla, and others who’ve come and gone over time. I feel I have plenty to do.

I trust God. He is my friend. His eternal plan for all of us brings me the peace, strength, and hope I need to endure. There is no doubt in my mind of this truth. If you don’t know this, I encourage you to get on your knees and open up your heart to Him. Thank Him for every good thing in your life. You will feel His voice. The God of Heaven is our Father and adores you. One day we’ll look back and recognize all that He has done for His children in advancing us to greater levels of light, love and knowledge.

Register to be a Donor

Conference for Seniors

Earlier this month Senator Orrin Hatch invited me to speak at his conference for seniors. It was truly an honor to have this powerful political leader introduce me to his large audience.

I’m sure I stumbled over my message, but my intent was to let the folks know they are loved and in a difficult situation they should ask for help. Let people love you and serve you because sometimes it’s difficult to be served.

Photo: My mother Margaret, Me, Senator Hatch, My Grandmother Layton

2010 Congenital Disorder Scholarship Information

Last Fall, The Paul Cardall Scholarship for Students Affected by Congenital Disorders was established to financially assist people affected by congenital disorders such as congenital heart disease, spina bifida, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, cystic fibrosis and other birth defects, or who have had an organ transplant.

Photo: Money was raised by our community for this scholarship at my Abravanel Hall Annual Celebrate Life Concert event.

The deadline for applicants is May 3rd. A full tuition waiver for 1 year will be awarded the following month.

This scholarship is available to residents of the Rocky Mountain Region who have been diagnosed with a congenital disorder or who have had an organ transplant, or whose children have been diagnosed with a congenital disorder or had an organ transplant.

Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be degree or certificate-seeking students at Salt Lake Community College, and enroll in at least 9 credit hours but not more than 18 credit hours in an eligible program. Successful applicants will have demonstrated courage and character in their response to the challenge of congenital disorders.

The application and selection process for the Paul Cardall Scholarship for Students Affected by Congenital Disorders will be by committee, jointly overseen and administered by the SLCC Development Office and the SLCC Financial Aid Office.

If you or someone you know would be interested in this opportunity click here to apply

My Donor

As the United Network of Organ Sharing and its various chapters and volunteers spread awareness this month throughout America, I felt impressed to express my own appreciation for my organ donor. I think about this person every day, if not every hour.

Ever since I learned I needed a heart from another human being I felt placed in an odd predicament. Couldn't God tell me who it is before it happened so I might some how intervene and possibly prevent their death? Yet, how could I deny my wife a husband and my little girl a father. Coming to terms with this unique situation was a long and difficult journey I can't explain in words.

I prayed for my donor in the morning and the evenings as I waited for word of a heart from my doctors.

Since my transplant last September, I have grieved my donor's passing like that of my own brother who died while I waited. Some have asked why I didn't receive my brother's heart. He was not my blood type and was unable to donate living organs. We did donate some tissue and bone to help someone walk.

I'm not at liberty to discuss information about who my donor is because of privacy laws and my personal respect to the family who has suffered a great loss.

I believe strongly my donor is an angel of God who chose a path that has blessed the lives of not only my family, my community, but also future generations.

I'm reminded of a verse of scripture in the Bible that reads: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:14) I am forever in his debt and will do all I can to serve others as he has served me.

This month, you can help me spread awareness of organ donation by writing about it on your facebook status, blog, in an e-mail or where-ever you can. Feel free to share my video, the image above, and a link to www.donatelife.net