Miller Vein is proud to announce that Dr. Miller, his daughter Rachel and Miller Vein teammates Ryan Bose, and Daisy Lopez completed the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon raising over $10,000 online and from personal donations for the Matthew Bittker Foundation.
Dr. Miller met Ellie and Allan Bittker through youth softball in 2010. They established the foundation in memory of their son Matthew. He was a brave little boy who battled Stage 4 Neuroblastoma with strength and humor. Despite his passing in 2007, his legacy lives on through the foundation’s commitment to funding vital research for Neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers.
A dozen enthusiastic Miller Vein employees and their families were on hand to cheer on the runners on the chilly Sunday morning, setting up in front of the Mariners’ Church, which rang their bells though the day. The crowd was loud and supportive with the Miller Vein spectators holding up signs with positive messages – including a sign that read “SMILE – Remember you paid to do this”.
As Team Miller Vein approached the runners’ corral packed with thousands of people, they initiated a conversation with a woman in her 50s and her 80-year-old dad. The family had come from Texas to run the half marathon and talked about how they undertake this annual endeavor. When Dr. Miller introduced his daughter Rachel to the couple, the woman smiled at Rachel and prophesied, “This will be you and your dad in the future.” Dr. Miller replied, “I can only hope we can do that together in the future.”
With the generosity of Miller Vein friends, family, and patients, Team Miller Vein surpassed their online fundraising goal of $7,000 to become the second highest fundraising champion for the 2023 Detroit Free Press Marathon. The goal was chosen in memory of Dr. Miller’s father—an avid marathon runner—who considered seven his lucky number.