Title: “Community Rallies Around Brave 8-Year-Old Battling Inoperable Brain Tumor, Fulfilling His Birthday Wish”
Conesville, Ohio — Eight-year-old Andrew Miller, facing the challenges of an inoperable brain tumor, expressed a heartfelt wish this December: to receive 1,000 cards for his 9th birthday on Tuesday.
Since sharing Andrew’s story, the Miller family, residing outside Conesville, Ohio, has experienced an outpouring of support, with Andrew already receiving over 1,000 cards, including an impressive 266 in a single day.
Andrew’s father, Roman Miller, shared with The Times-Reporter, “We’re getting lots and lots of cards, and he’s just loving it. He will sit for hours on end, opening cards and just reading the cards, looking at the cards.” Roman initiated the card campaign as a way to lift Andrew’s spirits and give him something to eagerly anticipate each day.
Battling two types of cancer, Andrew has faced adult B Cell Lymphoma in his stomach and a challenging brain tumor over the past year. Despite successful treatment for lymphoma, the brain tumor has returned, prompting doctors to convey that there is no cure. Andrew is now under the care of Community Hospice of New Philadelphia, receiving support to make his days as comfortable and joyous as possible.
Community Hospice’s volunteer manager, Erica Rozak, expressed, “It’s truly been incredible to experience, and it’s our hope that Andrew knows just how many people care and are praying for him.”
Roman Miller, reflecting on the family’s challenging journey, emphasized the importance of choosing hope and faith each day. “We have to make a choice every day that we get up. We can either choose to grow with this, grow in God and have more faith, or we can choose to sulk and look at all the problems and be bitter.”
The community’s response, with cards pouring in from both near and far, is a testament to the collective spirit of compassion and support for Andrew, uplifting his spirits and providing comfort during this difficult time.
