Everyday Angels

Twenty years ago, Canton resident Brian Miller, 33, was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, a kidney disease that often requires a kidney transplant. At that time, Brian’s father was a candidate and successfully donated his kidney to his son in 2006. On average, donated kidneys efficiently last 10-12 years. In 2019, Brian began noticing familiar declines in his kidney function prompting tests. In April 2020, Brian was placed on the kidney transplant list at Emory University Hospital. He now better understands what is ahead for him the second time around. Today, as a young husband and father of two sons, Will, 5, and Joshua, 2, Brian’s life has greater purpose than ever before.

Brian works as a Lear45 pilot instructor and examiner, and his wife, Amber, teaches pre-school. Brian continues to work as he patiently waits for a match. Based upon the availability and timeline of a donor kidney, Brian could likely be placed on dialysis, which will buy time until a perfect match is found. “We anticipate going through four surgeries throughout this process, along with the transplant surgery itself,” Amber said.

At press time, Amber learned that her first round of labs all came back within the parameters of being a potential donor with compatible blood types. Her file is now going before the board at Emory for review, which will take time and further testing. “We are optimistic that I will be approved and round two of evaluations will begin rather quickly,” she said. “We have been blessed by the fact that others have come forward to also see if they are potential matches for Brian. This is huge for us as the more potential matches the better. Of course, there are many hypotheticals of how it could work if both of our sons’ parents were to have simultaneous surgical procedures. There would be many disruptions and inconveniences for sure, but we would welcome that gift and figure it out. Additionally, this COVID-19 pandemic makes what is already hard, much harder for any transplant patient.”

“I want to encourage everyone to research and carefully consider being an organ donor at www.emoryhealthcare.org/centers-programs/kidneytransplant-program/living-donor.htm. The wait-list

Identifying people in need in our community.

Amber and Brian Miller with their sons Joshua and Will.

time for a deceased kidney is five years. Most cannot survive as they wait. Until you are in this situation, you cannot fully understand the gift of organ donors,” Amber said.

“I want to thank our amazing friends and church community for all of the love and support we have received so far. There is a lot ahead of us, but we know we can get through it with you all by our side.”

Everyday Angels would like to rally our community to help this sweet family through this difficult time. A GoFundMe page has been created by their friends at gf.me/u/ymt5zy or you may send donations through Everyday Angels, where 100% of your donation goes directly to the Miller family and is tax deductible.

Everyday Angels is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www.everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal or send your donations to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in your community, e-mail aaeverydayangels@gmail.com