By Lina Hashem, Loudoun Times-Mirror
Original Article – May 20, 2008
Scott Miller Jr. – who turned 12 on May 21 — got an early birthday surprise during a visit to Don Corleone’s Brick Oven Pizzeria May 15. As he sat waiting for pizza, Redskins defensive tackle Kedric Golston walked in. Scott’s parents had conspired with the pizzeria’s owners to arrange for the meeting.
“This had to be one of the happiest moments of his life,” Colleen Miller said. “He thought Kedric was an incredible man … and it allowed him to know how very special he is.”
Scott’s parents feel pressed to give him as many of these moments as possible, because they worry about how many more they will have time for. Scott, of Fredericksburg, has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes mucous to clog his organs, including his lungs. He has to have breathing treatments three times a day and enzyme pills before each meal. Every morning and night, his parents have to pound on his chest and back and shake him while he coughs to dislodge the mucus. His treatments take 2.5 to 3 hours a day. They are vital to his life.
The median age of survival for CF patients is about 36.5, but Scott recently lost a 19-year-old acquaintance from his town to the illness.
Right now, there is no cure for CF, but the Millers aim to change that in time for Scott. They’re helping plan a June 8 walk in Fredericksburg. Colleen Miller’s Web page for the walk reports a goal of raising $10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, with $1,094.59 pledged so far.
The Millers said CF activists struggle to get help because the disease’s sufferers look healthy.
“And then before you know it, they’re gone,” Colleen said.
Donations can be sent to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2727 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 104, Richmond, VA 23294 (attn: Amy McCracken, for team Scottie). For information about the walk, visit www.cff.org/Great_Strides/ColleenMiller.