Friends -
This inspiring story is from my friend and fellow Cyclists Combating Cancer
member who has a son (Garrett) living with a malignant brain tumor that has
left him visually impaired. Because of Garrett, Eric and his wife Nancy
founded Rush-Miller Racing to raise money to purchase tandem bicycles for
visually impaired children so they can experience the thrill of riding a
bike like everyone else. The following is a link to Rush-Miller Foundation's website: www.rushmillerfoundation.org. It is a shining example of what Survivorship
is all about. I encourage you to visit it.
Eric is a finalist for the Tour of Hope team that Lance Armstrong will
lead across the country this fall to raise awareness of clinical trials. I
also applied, but received notification tonight that I did not make the
team. This is fine as it was a real stretch for me physically right now, and
CCC will be well represented if Eric makes the team. I guess this means I get to enjoy round 8 in a few weeks.
Be Well -
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Miller"
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 9:56 PM
Subject: [CCC-NET] Incredible Day
We had the most incredible day. When Garrett finished all of his treatment
he had a small device called a "slim port" removed from his left upper
chest. The device works like a groshon for the delivery of chemotherapy,
but is under the skin and reduces infection and allows for a somewhat active
lifestyle.
Well when they removed the port Garrett asked for it. When we got the port we
noticed the name BARD on the port. I found out who and where BARD was
located (Princton, NJ). I shot off a thank you to the CEO and got a very
nice personal reply in return. This was June 2002.
In August we were contacted to be part of their annual report and in October
they sent a photography crew out from NYC to shoot the kids. Nice we
thought.
In March of this year they sent out a film crew from DC and filmed our
family for a video to show their employees and investors at their annual
meeting. Wow! The closest to being stars we'll ever get.
Well today we traveled to Salt Lake City and were given an opportunity to
meet the employees who designed and manufactured Garrett's port. How
emotional to be able to see the people behind one of the products used to
help save Garrett's life. They treated us like GOLD.
To top it off the retiring CEO and incoming CEO flew in and we got to meet
them as well. Now this is a billion and a half global company so it was
quite an honor.
As fate would have it they donated to our foundation and made possible for a
beautiful blind Salt Lake girl to get her first tandem.
What a day. We knew thank you's are rare. As paramedics of nearly 20 years
a piece we know. Apparently this was the first time in the history of their
company of nearly 100 years, anyone had written a thank you. Wow. Get out
your pencils...you may make someone's day.
Eric Miller |