Our Inheritance from God

Henry B. Eyring, one of the great leaders in my faith, discussed a very important truth that has inspired all those who have embraced his wise counsel.

He said, "Your inheritance from God is time. It is capital far more precious than any lands or stocks or houses you will ever get. Spend it foolishly, and you will bankrupt yourself and cheapen the inheritance of those that follow you. Invest it wisely, and you will bless generations to come." [Sermon delivered May 4, 1986, BYU]

For me, receiving a second chance at life because another person's heart beats inside of me makes me think more about the word time. It is a precious commodity. It is a gift.

None of us really know how much time we have left. I thank God everyday for renewing me and granting me more time with my wife and daughter. He performed a miracle.

I’m not surprised. He is a God of miracles.

If another person’s heart can bring me back from the dead why is it impossible for Jesus to raise himself from the dead? Thanks to my donor I live again. Thanks to my Savior and Redeemer I will live forever. I thank Him each day for his mercy and kindness toward our family and I look forward to thanking my donor when my time runs out.

Photo: My Ragnar Family

Until then I'll enjoy my extended family and friends who continue to inspire me.

The week after our hike up the steep Mount Olympus, 12 of my immediate family, a few spouses and cousins were part of a 188-mile relay race called RAGNAR that went through the small towns of Northern Utah. I worked with my Mom as a volunteer along with my cousin Trent. Our team was named after one of our brother's songs called, “Leave it all Behind.”

Each of the 1000 teams had 12 members. They were awake for almost 48 hours running 2 sets aprox. 3-15 miles each, even when the sun went down. They would pass wrist ban to the next team member who would then run their set.

Photo: My sister Caron passing the wrist ban / baton to my youngest sister Jane

Other people I’ve associated with continue to inspire me. Their way of life fuels my desire to spend my time wisely with a good balance of work, service, and fun.

Since summer began, I’ve had opportunity to speak and share my music with thousands of kids and parents attending youth conferences or other church related events. From Houston to Manti, Utah, Seattle/Tacoma to South Ogden, or wherever I go, I meet kind and friendly people who have a light in their eyes focused on learning all they can about our Father in Heaven.

Photo: Teams decorated their cars. This my cute sister Jane standing by a decorated relay-race car.

I’ve attended several charity events where people are gathered because they deeply care about one another. The fund-raiser for my fellow heart transplant friend Mason brought a community together. The support alleviated some of the financial burdens associated with medical expenses. But more priceless than donated funds was the spiritual feeling of love in the large room where people threw their arms around a family in need.

I’ve learned in my short span of time that no matter what comes our way, people genuinely seeking God and striving with all of their whole heart for goodness and charity, are the happy people in our society.

The greatest servant of all said to His disciples shortly before He was crucified for the sins of the world, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:39)

Scholarship Recipient Sidney Porter

Congratulations to Sidney Porter, the first recipient of the Salt Lake Community College Paul Cardall Scholarship for those affected by a congenital disorder. She recently graduated from North Sevier High School. She was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at two weeks old. Doctors performed a very difficult surgery preserving her life. Her chronic illness has not stopped her from becoming the young woman she's strived to be. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, Sidney got involved in numberless school activities inspiring others along the way. As she ventures into college and the adult world it will be great to see what she will accomplished.

The committee said there were quite a few people who applied. I appreciate those of you who took interest in this opportunity and encourage you to re-apply next year. I encourage you to be proud of your congenital disorder and let life's challenges fuel your appreciation of life and desire to serve others.

http://foundation.paulcardall.com

SLCC Scholarship Recipient to be Announced!

The recipient of this year's first annual congenital disorder scholarship will be announced the first of next week. Thank you to everyone who applied. As always, from my past experience working as a student leader scholarship director, it is hard to decide among so many qualified people, which is why I formed a committee and didn't view the applications myself.

Note: The Paul Cardall Family Foundation and the Salt Lake Community College Financial Aid-Scholarship office along with the SLCC Alumni formed a committee to carefully review each applicant.

Mission Accomplished!

Photo by Jeffery D. Allred, Deseret News (2010)

Brotherly tribute

Paul Cardall climbs Mount Olympus just 9 months after transplant.

By Erin Alberty

The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated: 06/09/2010 11:22:48 PM MDT

To summit Mount Olympus less than a year after surgery would be a feat for any heart transplant patient.

But Paul Cardall says this is not his big day.

Nine months ago, looking at the behemoth rock face from a hospital window he could barely walk to, Cardall decided to make the epic hike for someone else. Brian Cardall had died a few months earlier, when police stunned him with a Taser during a bipolar episode.

On Wednesday, the anniversary of Brian's death, Paul steps onto the trail. His first major hike in 25 years is in memory of his little brother. Continue reading and see PHOTO GALLERY

With family and friends on top of Mount Olympus
Photo by Jeffery D. Allred, Deseret News (2010)

Paul Cardall celebrates lives of brother and donor from atop Mount Olympus

Published: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 7:47 p.m. MDT

MOUNT OLYMPUS — Exactly one year from the minute Brian Cardall's heart stopped beating, his brother Paul's new heart allowed him stand on top of Mount Olympus Wednesday and thank God for both their lives.

"We got to the peak at 1 p.m., and it was 1:10 p.m. a year ago when Brian was killed. We didn't even plan that, but we got there and realized it," said Paul Cardall, a local musician who took an emotional roller coaster ride along with his extended family last year. As Paul's monthslong wait for a heart transplant continued last June 9, his brother Brian was Tasered by a Hurricane police officer, who was called to the side of a rural highway.

Brian had shed his clothes in a manic episode and was running naked on the road. His wife had called 911. The Taser was deployed and Brian died.

His family, including brother Paul, was devastated by his loss. But their emotional ride took a sharp turn upward in September, when doctors at Primary Children's Medical Center replaced Paul's sick and tired heart with that of a 19-year-old donor.

He and his family viewed the event as a miracle, and Paul vowed his first day back home that he would climb Mount Olympus on the anniversary of his brother's death, as both a tribute to the lost life and the triumph of a new chapter in his own journey.

On the summit, Paul told the family and friends who accompanied him that he wanted to say a prayer "of gratitude for Brian and his life. … It was very simple, with thanks 'for our experience with Brian, knowing him and all his accomplishments and understanding how proud he would be of us.'

Hugging my wife on the highest peak of Mount Olympus next to a mailbox full of letters from others who reached the top. As we opened the lid someone years ago had put in red tape the name "Paul" and there was also a gold plate honoring another person who died named "Brian." Photo by Jeffery D. Allred, The Deseret News (2010)

Continue reading and see 20 PHOTOS From the Deseret News

Alot of Heart in Houston

My family and I were invited to the 2nd annual "It's My Heart" congenital heart defect conference this past weekend in Houston, Texas at the United Way Center. I was one of the speakers.

With almost 20 chapters spread throughout the United States, I'm grateful to know there are so many people organized to help families affected by congenital heart disease.

Folks were anxious to hear from Charles D. Fraser, Jr., M.D., an internationally recognized leader in pediatric and congenital heart surgery, who was recently appointed surgeon-in-chief at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.

I should note that good surgeons are celebrities to those who have had their children worked on and Dr. Fraser is well loved. He leads a team of more than 100 surgeons representing multiple pediatric surgical subspecialties at one of the nation’s largest children’s hospitals.

Dr. Fraser's, who studied at John Hopkins University, discussed the history of pediatric heart surgery and then focused primarily on what's being done for patient's with single ventricle. He said every case is different and unique. "We've come really far in since our early fontan procedure came into play," said the surgeon. He showed us the number of procedures now available before a person needs a transplant. For example, Dr. Fraser wants more research and practice done towards replacing sections of the heart with gortex, cadaver tissue, and animal tissue before having to go to the length of doing a heart transplants. He was very optimistic and soft spoken about the future of people with congenital heart disease.

Later, we broke into groups and heard from a variety of speakers on subjects like managing stress, future of CHD, and others.

I enjoyed breaking into the teen summit (no parents allowed) with some of the teens and adults discussing their feelings about living with CHD. The gentlemen who led the group discussion has my similar defect and is a psychiatrist at the hospital.

Photo: A few of the adults from the Houston area living with congenital heart disease. It was really inspiring for me to be with this group.

Most talked about what they'd like to do in life, their hopes and dreams. We talked about how hard it is on their parents or loved ones. One by one we talked about each of our different diagnosis. To lighten things up one kid said that in addition to his CHD he had been diagnosed with "awesomeness" but it wasn't contagious.

Overall, organizations like It's My Heart, Intermountain Healing Hearts, Saving Tiny Hearts, ACHA, and the many other foundations throughout our nation are doing great work. I'm so please to be part of this effort to help lift each other.