HOW TO GIVE
Thomas was the coordinator of football officials for Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference Athletics from 2013 until his passing in 2022 . He also ran an officiating clinic that continues to mentor officials . Miller even created a sports-themed podcast with his son Blake called “ Miller Time with Big T ”.
END-STAGE HEART FAILURE In 2014 at just 42 years old , Miller had his first of four heart attacks , which led to his diagnosis of end-stage heart failure . The technology behind LVADs had accelerated in the early 2000s ; more people qualified for the streamlined devices , and they were approved as a destination therapy rather than simply a bridge to heart transplant . In preparation for his 2016 procedure , Miller made multiple trips to Birmingham , and after the surgery , he recovered for over two weeks at UAB Hospital . He then was required to live in the Birmingham area for another two weeks , adjusting to daily living with an LVAD and being closely monitored by his care team . It was expensive and extensive but lifesaving .
DEVELOPMENT
Most insurance providers , including Medicare , cover usual and customary costs of the therapy . However , many expenses related to the care are not covered , such as frequent trips to the providing hospital that may include an overnight stay , copays for frequent office visits , medications , dressing supplies , and home health and cardiac rehabilitation in some cases . At the time of implantation , if a patient lives far away as Miller did , a stay of two weeks near the hospital is required and can be cost-prohibitive for some .
Miller was a staunch advocate for LVAD therapy and provided support for other patients with encouraging words . His vision and the support his golf tournament has generated have reduced the financial burdens for many patients in need . This help comes in the form of gas cards , meal or food support , and subsidized electricity or medication costs .
HOW TO GIVE
For the UAB Cardiovascular Institute ( CVI ), philanthropy is one of the keys to our progress . We invite you to join us in our mission to develop advanced treatments , pursue innovative research discoveries , and deliver exceptional patient experiences .
Thank you to our donors for investing in us . Your giving has created opportunities for improving patient care and exploring new frontiers in treating and managing cardiovascular conditions .
WAYS YOU CAN INVEST
• Outright gifts : Put your gift to work immediately by funding existing programs or creating a reliable source of future income for a current endowment .
• Pledges : We welcome your gift through a pledge , which is a formal statement of intention to make a gift over a period of time .
• Endowments : Provide long-term security by expanding our permanent financial base and creating a predictable source of future income .
• Planned gifts : Shape the future of our department and leave your legacy by making us part of your estate plan .
• Anonymous gifts : A gift without a name attached is just as impactful and will positively transform lives and research efforts .
• Tributes : This thoughtful way to honor or memorialize a loved one can establish an endowment or help fund departmental projects .
We invite you to collaborate with the UAB CVI as we work to enhance education , research , and patient care . Thank you for your interest .
If you would like to partner with us , please contact the director of development at 205-934-1974 .
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