CARROLL SHELBY, CLOSE TO THE HEART

Children's Foundation Dedicated to Help and Healing

The long life of Carroll Shelby has all the elements of an epic story: A small town Texas boy from modest means rises to international fame as a championship race car driver and then turns automotive entrepreneur only to learn he is living on borrowed time with a rapidly failing heart. But this tale has a beautiful resolution. Shelby receives a donated heart and establishes the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation to help save young lives for many decades to come.

On Track to Fame

The history that brought this charitable foundation from a promise made on a hospital bed to a successful nonprofit organization that supports transplant research and underprivileged children in need of life saving surgeries deserves a closer look. Without exaggeration it can be said that Carroll Shelby spent most of his life in the fast lane. He was twice named Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated, and in 1990, was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Shelby tore up racetracks all over the world, from the U.S. to Europe and Mexico – where, in 1955, he drove a legendary race with one arm in a cast and the other tied to the steering wheel of his car.

In 1960, Shelby put his life on yet another track. A genetic heart condition that claimed other family members at early ages, forced this racer to choose a life with a little less stress and physical exertion. Returning to a pastime he'd always enjoyed – tinkering with cars to make them faster and better, his mechanical prowess and automotive vision led to performance cars that have become legends in their own time. From these productive years came the iconic Shelby Cobra, the Shelby GT 350, the Shelby GT 500 and other models that changed common cars into uncommon, competitive racing machines. He worked with automakers to transform, create and innovate. Just like on the racetrack, Shelby seemed unstoppable.

A Promise Made

But, his heart told him otherwise. As his condition progressed Shelby learned that his only hope of a longer life was to place his name on a list for a heart transplant. By 1990, the great man's health was seriously debilitated. On oxygen and preparing for the end, Shelby was working on his last bequeaths when word came that a well-matched heart was available. At Cedars Sinai Heart Transplant unit the 68-year-old Shelby underwent yet another transformation. "While I was lying there in the hospital awaiting my heart," Shelby recalls on his foundation's website, "two boys on either side of me passed away because they did not receive a transplant in time. So I made a deal with the big man above …" Successful surgery and the deal he'd made led to the beginnings of the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation and the commitment to help needy youngsters receive medical care and transplants.

Into the Future

Over the years, the Foundation has grown into a successful nonprofit organization. At first, funds were raised through individuals, in exchange for Carroll Shelby's Autograph, and the sale of some of his personal cars. Shelby intended for the foundation to be perpetual and that meant creating an endowment fund. While distributing grants to organizations and individuals, Shelby and his associates looked at long term strategies to sustain and grow the amount of money available for giving.

A big boost came from an old partner of Shelby's, Ford Motor Company. Shelby signed on with the automotive giant in 2006 to produce some limited edition GT models. At the same time, Ford saw a way to help the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation in a big way by donating cars to be auctioned through Barrett-Jackson car auctions. A 2005 Ford GT Coupe netted $530,000 and a 2007 Ford Shelby GT auctioned for $600,000. The Foundation went from exchanging autographs for a few hundred dollars to raising more than a million for three cars sold in 2007 alone.

In a letter to an automotive magazine Shelby celebrated this partnership that greatly enhances the foundation's donor base and makes it less dependent upon Shelby the individual. "Sooner or later, I will run out of cars and the ability to sign autographs. Working with Ford has allowed us to take that next step," Shelby wrote. Of course, the Foundation will continue to invite individual donors and car clubs to help raise money by purchasing Shelby merchandise and sponsoring fund raising activities.

In years to come, as the Foundation grows and is able to help an increasing number of transplant organizations and young people in need of urgent medical care, this chapter in the Carroll Shelby tale promises to become equal to others in his long and successful life. According to the great man, it takes money like that made possible by our many sponsors and Ford, but it also takes people to sign on as organ and tissue donors. This is the legacy closest to Carroll Shelby's heart.

Donate to the Foundation

Shelby fans open their pocketbooks and their hearts when they support the nonprofit Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. Throughout the year there are events and activities to raise money for the Foundation in addition to the sale of special merchandise that returns funds to this worthy effort. The Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation awards research grants, and provides financial support to children needing life saving transplants and medical treatment. Help Carroll Shelby fulfill the promise he made while awaiting his own heart transplant, and be part of his effort increase the organ donor base to save young lives. Participate, purchase special Shelby collection items and donate today. It will warm your heart!