Alex Miller is now 8 years old and lives in Millersville. He is in second grade and enjoys swimming, playing soccer, boy scouting, and spending time with friends, family, and his pets.
At just 11 months of age, Alex was diagnosed with Infant Lymphocydic Leukemia (ALL) in January 1999. As he was gearing up to celebrate his first birthday, he started chemotherapy treatment at Penn State’s Hershey Medical Center Children’s Hospital where he received exceptional care. His small body responded to the many medicines he received, and he went into immediate remission. His therapy continued for two and a half years, and he has enjoyed remission ever since.
Because of his age, Alex endured many setbacks due to a compromised immune system. But even at 12 months of age, his determination and will to live was evident. Despite constantly trying to fight off the pokes and prods of spinal taps, blood work, x-rays, and other hospital procedures, he was still able to manage a smile or mutter a word or two. It was in the halls of the hospital where he learned to walk.
As the months went on, his progress continued. Hope was restored and he began to live a normal life. The months have turned into years, and he will reach the 5-year post therapy milestone this year.
He is happy to be involved with Celebration For Life this year. The biggest lesson to learn from his ordeal is that there are so many positives to be gained from each experience we go through, and there are so very many people who care.
