Students Lead the Way

In the heart of the Salt Lake Valley are thousands of young men and young women who recently committed their time to making a difference in the lives of those affected by congenital heart disease.

Both Brighton High and Jordan High School students devoted two months to raising money and awareness for The Paul Cardall Family Foundation. Whether it was buying a faculty parking spot, heart cookies made by other students, or joining a "Call of Duty" video game tournament, students turned out in droves to help do what they can.

(Presenting a check for $16,000 to Paul Cardall for CHD at the New Life Concert)

Needless, to say I was impressed and overwhelmed by their efforts. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." It's quite obvious, the youth in my community are already leading by example.

(Presenting a check for $15,000 to Paul Cardall for CHD at the New Life Concert)

Every single penny generously donated has the power to directly affect the lives of families associated with congenital heart disease. Our foundation, which my wife Lynnette and I started after I received a heart transplant and an overwhelming embrace of community support, has no paid employees and is devoted to provide education, fund research, and assist fellow organizations and individuals associated with congenital heart disease and other related congenital disorders. Funds acquired go directly to the following:

1. Scholarships

2. Public and private awareness and general education to help bring greater attention to congenital heart disease patients in an effort to prevent premature death, prolong the health and well-being of congenital patients.

3. Seed money for Federal grants associated with selective research projects making a difference in the lives of patients.

4. Financial aid to organized support groups dedicated to strengthening the emotional, mental, and spiritual lives of patients and families.

Again, our foundation greatly appreciates your support and all of the support students worked so hard to make a difference.

My New Life

Therapists and some doctors suggest people should not make any major decisions until a year after experiencing a dramatizing event. I completely ignored this advice. Looking back, I never stopped moving. I made all sorts of decisions in an effort to shout out to the world my gratitude for life and how grateful we all should be for the time we have been allotted by a loving God.

I must admit, they may have been right because at times I do feel like life is out of control. Maybe that means I'm normal. Regardless, we all experience ups and downs.

I'm grateful for Carma Wadley of the Deseret News who wrote a beautiful piece that has helped me put my life into perspective. Whether the article inspired readers, I don't know. But it certainly has helped me focus much deeper on why I do what I do. Who needs a therapist to explain your life to you when you have a wonderful journalist like Carma?

Benefit celebrates musician's 'New Life'

By Carma Wadley

Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 4:00 p.m. MST

It's not just about the heart — the one he was never sure he would get in time — although, that, certainly, is part of it.

But it's also about knowing that someone else had to die so that he could live.

It's about learning to live in a world without a beloved brother, who was killed in a tragic incident. It's about learning more of the depth of character and faith of his wife and family.

It's about being able to go hiking and camping and to Disneyland. It's about developing a deeper relationship with a kind and loving Father in Heaven.

It's about burdens of grief and guilt, but also about the lift of unspeakable hope and joy.

In short, it's about finding a new life.

"There have been so many emotions," Paul Cardall says of the 16-month journey since he received a heart transplant.

As a musician and composer, it is natural that he expresses those emotions through music, which he has done in a new CD, "New Life" (Shadow Mountain Music).

But he also found that it didn't come easy. In all the time he spent in the hospital, Cardall only wrote one song. He would go out to the piano in the lobby in Primary Children's Medical Center every night, but he would find himself playing the same song over and over, a song he called "New Life."

"For me" he says, "music, opens a conduit to heaven and provides my soul with strength and peace. That's what 'New Life' did for me."

After the transplant came through and recovery was assured, there was a benefit "Celebration of Life" concert to put together, and then a book, "Before My Heart Stops Beating" to finish up. There were hikes to go on and activities to plan of things that had not been possible before. There were trips around the country to speak at hospitals and to young patients suffering from congenital heart disease, the nation's number one birth defect.

But there was little new music.

"I would sit at the piano, but I would feel like I wasn't ready. I couldn't write anything new."

Continue the Article

Concert Next Week: Auction Items!

It's national heart month and with only 6 days to go before the big Celebrate Life concert and benefit auction in Salt Lake City at Cottonwood High on Valentines Day, I'm excited to share with you a partial list of some of the donated auction items that will help support families and organizations associated with Congenital Heart Disease.

Tickets can be purchased through Smithstix.com and will also be available the night of the show at Cottonwood High School at face value.

Events begin at 6:30 pm with the silent auction.

Some of the fun items include;

EDUCATION

A Full Tuition Waiver to attend Salt Lake Community College
(beginning bid at $750)

SPORTS

Watch Booze Looze in Chicago: JAZZ vs. BULLS
Bid on this round trip ticket for you and a friend to enjoy two nights at the Hyatt Regency in the HEART of Chicago, and 6th row tickets in the Bulls Arena (March 11-13th)

Autographed UTAH JAZZ BALL
2010/2011 Team

Paul Millsap
Autographed Jersey

Utah Grizzlies
VIP Suite for 14 on Feb. 15th

Utah Golf Championship
VIP passes

and much more


KIDS
DRESS UPS GALORE!
and much more

ART

Anthony Romrell
The Heart of the Master Original Art

Melinda Smith
In Between Seasons Original Art

Curtis Hendrickson
Original Piece

and much more

The Paul Cardall Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to spreading public awareness, provide education, fund research, and assist fellow organizations and individuals associated with congenital heart disease and other related congenital disorders.

NO PAID EMPLOYEES

100% Volunteer Service

100% of all public & private donations directly benefit families and organizations associated with Congenital Heart Disease and other related disorders.

FUNDS DONATED PRODUCE:

1. Scholarships


2. Public and private awareness and general education to help bring greater attention to congenital heart disease patients in an effort to prevent premature death, prolong the health and well-being of congenital patients.


3. Selective research projects making a difference in the lives of patients.


4. Financial aid to organized support groups dedicated to strengthening the emotional, mental, and spiritual lives of patients and families.

Approved by the United States Department of The Treasury and Internal Revenue Service. Public and Private Contributions to the Foundation are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Skiing at Snowbird

If you'll pardon me, I wanted to share this post my wife Lynnette Cardall
put on our private blog for family.

We went up to Snowbird again this year with our friends the Ruggles. Paul was a patient with their daughter Stephanie more than 20 years ago. This time we stayed a couple of days at the lodge and skied for 3 days. It was a blast! Eden is getting better at skiing and it is still so thrilling to be able to ski with Paul....still such a dream...I love it!

Most of the gang!

Lessons from Mom

Lessons from patient Cary

Hangin' on the lift with dad!

One of the days it was beautiful and warm so we peeled off our coats and enjoyed the sun!

Making snow angels!!!

Taking a break!

Paul is really enjoying this skiing business and he has loved making up for lost time!

Little ski bunnies!

Paul Cardall about to Release First Album since Heart Transplant

Watch the Interview on Good Things Utah

Print Story

Published: 10:46 am
KTVX ABC4 Utah, February 2, 2011

On Valentines Paul Cardall will release his first full length studio album since his heart transplant. Properly titled NEW LIFE Cardall says, "Fans will relate to this personal soundtrack of transcribed emotions I experienced while recovering from a difficult period of my life."

The pianist is at his best in the various delicate and tender compositions accompanied by breathtaking strings and elements of acoustic guitar.

Paul will debut his heartfelt album at his 2nd annual Celebrate Life Concert. For more information visit paulcardall.com

National Heart Month

Every year since 1964 American Presidents have declared February as National Heart Month. Today, President Barack Obama reiterated this tradition asking Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and the American people to join him in recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease.

Read the official press release from the White House