Last weekend the Feagans family flew to Denver to walk in the FSMA Walk-n-Roll. You all have probably heard me talk about what an amazing family the Feagans are, and their cousin Lindsey is another prime example. She lives in Denver and was touched my Miller’s story, so after hearing about the event she organized a team in Miller’s name! This meant SO much to us!!! The Feagans tried to pay our way and take us along for the ride, but we just couldn’t take them up on the offer! They have done too much already! Maybe next year we will join in on the fun!
Below is Lindsey’s blog post from the event. I copied and pasted it straight from her blog, so it is in her words:
On Saturday, we participated in the Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FSMA) Walk-n-Roll at Clement Park in Littleton. We walked in memory of Little Miller McNeil Woodruff. We had our "Miller's Colorado March" shirts, and Miller hats on, and it was awesome to be on his team!! With the walk, silent auction and raffle, the event raised over $31,000 to go toward a new $3 million SMA research program. Miller's Colorado March team raised nearly $1,000 of that! So, thank you so much, to all of you who contributed to the team in honor of Miller, and all the babies who've battled against SMA. And thanks Nanc, Brandon and Stacey for designing the coolest shirts!!
It was such an honor for me to walk in Miller's honor. I've been so moved by that sweet little angel and I'm so blessed to have been touched by his life. It was so heartbreaking to see the pictures along "Memory Lane" of the little angels who've lost their lives to SMA, and to be familiar with two of the sweet faces in those pictures. Miller was joined on Memory Lane by baby Alex Cole, our neighbor, who lost his battle with SMA after 5 months, 2 years ago.
We asked if we could take Miller's sign to give to it to his parents. I figured they didn't do anything with them after the walk, and the Woodruff's might have liked to have had it to keep. But the chapter keeps them for every event, every year! Miller has been inducted into Memory Lane so that every walk to come, his smiling face will greet all of the participants and his story will continue on in Colorado! How neat is that?!
Before Alex and Miller, I'd never heard of SMA, and after having a baby and being tested for so many things, no one ever mentioned the #1 genetic killer of children under the age of two, or that 1 in 40 people are carriers of the disease, and 25% of those carriers will have children with SMA. That's 2 children each day in the US who are born with the disease. I pray every day for all of the little babies who are struggling with SMA, including baby Jack, the newly diagnosed baby with SMA Type 1,who lives near Boulder that made it out to the walk on Saturday. I pray that the research will make huge advancements in finding ways to treat and ultimately cure SMA.
I want to thank you all again for your support and donations to our team, Miller's Colorado March. We are already looking forward to the Gala and golf tournament next year!!
Also, to end my post on a REALLY positive note, baby Alex's mommy is pregnant again!! Melisa is 23 weeks along with another boy (this is #3...Alex has an older brother, Jack)!!! Initial tests show no signs of SMA, so please pray for their family!!
Here are a few pictures of the fundraiser...
Alex Cole died 2 years ago of SMA. His picture is on Memory Lane
Miller's picture on Memory Lane...with his "Colorado" logo
Miller's and Alex's pictures will remain on Memory Lane for years to come
Kellie and Mom
Dru and Kellie
Of course, Dru and his favorite cows! Yay for Chick-fil-A for donating!
Brandon and Quentin with their Miller shirts
Brandon and Quentin
Julie Lino, organizer
Julie Lino joined the Rocky Mountain Chapter in 1997 after her daughter was diagnosed with Type 2 SMA. Her daughter and son both have Type 2 SMA.
Team Miller getting ready to start!!
Kara, Cole, Luke, and Dru
The start of the race
Team Miller at the starting line
The Feagans' all the way from Rogers!!
Getting Quentin situated for the walk!
And we're off!...
The Chick-fil-A cow even walked!
Team Miller at the finish line!!
Mom, Kellie and Dru
"Nap and roll!"
Post walk
Stories of the little fighters who've battled SMA
Touching message written by parents who lost their child to SMA
Lindsey, we can never thank you enough for organizing this team in Miller’s memory! You are a wonderful person who is truly making a difference.
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