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Dear
Family and Friends:
May means it is ALS Awareness
Month, the historic Indianapolis 500 Race is run and this year,
it is the first anniversary of when
Brian died - on Carburetion Day, May 23, 2002.
In December, 2001, we realized we could no longer take care of
Brian at home so we admitted him to St. Vincent's Hospice.
Brian was afraid, upset that he was not going to die at home and that he would be all
alone at the Hospice. At the time we had no idea that, due
to the generosity and compassion of his many new friends, his last five
months would be so unbelievable, challenging and rewarding! Although his health was rapidly
declining, his spirits were lifted and he had reason to smile
again.
Shortly after Brian arrived at the Hospice, one of his nurses, Barb noticed a poster in his room with
several Indy Racing League racing stubs attached. She asked him if he
liked racing. Brian's eyes lit up and he said yes, I love it.
Barb told him that she did too. Then she asked who his
favorite driver was - she couldn't believe that he said Eddie
Cheever as he is her favorite as well. That evening Barb
shared the story about Brian the "race fan" on www.TrackForum.com, an
internet racing forum, and asked if drivers, owners or
team members would be able to visit him during the holidays.
By the time Barb got to work the next day, IRL driver Mark
Dismore had been there.
 The
next day Eddie Cheever met with both Brian and Barb. And
as they say, "the rest is history".
Once his story hit Track Forum, the interest from everyone was
exceptional. They asked what they could do for him. Brian said all of his needs were taken care of BUT if they really
wanted to do something they could help him by spreading
awareness of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Soon decals appeared on race cars, a website was
designed for Brian and his "Wish," as well as shirts and hats.
These were just a few ways that really did put a smile back on
his face. By this time his room started to look like a
racing museum! The realization that during this
final stage of his life, with the help of his new friends, just
maybe, he really could make a difference.
Brian's nurse commented that all of these "new
friends" gave to Brian what no one else could give - it is
because of their remarkable caring and support that Brian lived months longer than anyone
predicted.
Those extra months gave to Brian the greatest gift
one person can ever give to another. Brian died a peaceful man
with a heart filled with love.
Now that Brian is gone, yes the family certainly feels sorrow and loss.
But all of this has been softened through the generosity,
thoughtfulness and hard work of many, many people in the IRL
racing community.
Since last May, after much discussion and soul searching,
Brian's family decided to continue on with Brian's Wish and make
it a legal charity.
With the help of our new friend, Eddie
Cheever, IRL race driver, we found White Lick Heritage Community
Foundation. Thru this Foundation we have set up a
non-permanent fund and all funds can be used to help promote
community awareness of ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease. The Foundation
has been declared a 501©(3) charitable organization by the
Internal Revenue Service and donations
to Brian's Wish Fund thru White Lick Heritage Community
Foundation will qualify as a tax-deductible gift.
Brian's Wish is this:
To make the world more knowledgeable
about ALS, a cruel terminal disease, and the effects it has on
the patient, family, caregivers and friends and to
help create awareness and more interest, and provide funding for research
to find a cure for this terrible disease.
How can you help? Please share Brian's story so others
will know about this disease. Perhaps you may want to
participate in some of the Awareness events listed below.
And of course, donations are always welcome!
On behalf of Brian, his family and all of the ALS community, we
wish to thank all of you for your interest and support of Brian,
Brian's Wish and ALS. We, his family, want everyone to
know that with your help, Brian's Wish lives on!!!
Sincerely
Mary Ann Miller
Brian's Mom
Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS in the 1930's.
Here we are almost 70 years later, AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT
CAUSES IT! Or cures it! All we can do is make the
patient comfortable.
You can find more information about Brian, Brian's Wish and ALS
at: www.brianswish.com.
Awareness
events for ALS and Brian's Wish:
May 2002:
27
out of 33 cars at Indy 500 had Brian's Wish decals on them
September 2002:
Last IRL race in Texas - Phil Casey Golf Outing
Eddie Cheever chose Brian's Wish as one of the charities
$17,500 was donated to ALS thru Brian's Wish
to help increase awareness and for research
May 2003:
May 1 and 2 -- Mini-Marathon - booth to distribute brochures
about Brian's Wish, Sarah Fisher and Vitor Meira, IRL
drivers spent some time with us signing autographs.
Robbie Buhl's 2002 show car was on display.
May 21 -- Brians Wish at Community Day at Indianapolis Motor
Speedway
Visit Brians Family and friends at the entrance to the Red
Bull Team Cheever garages
during Community Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
May 23 -- Brian's Wish Night at the Indianapolis
Speedrome
(Indy 500 Weekend)
Friday, May 23, 2003 Racing starts at 7:00pm
802 S. Kitley Ave.
317-353-8206
TBA - 1 or 2 IRl race drivers will be with us for an autograph
session.
Tickets in advance - $5.00 each for a $10.00 ticket.
May thru Oct -- IRL Crew will promote
Brian's Wish at each race.
June 2003:
June 19 -- Lou Gehrig's 100th Birthday Celebration at AAA
baseball parks.
Check with your local AAA baseball stadium or www.alsa.org
for details.
July 2003:
July 26 -- Brian's Wish Benefit Concert - "Better
than Ezra"
Presented by A.G. Edwards
Murat Theatre/Egyptian Room
502 N. New Jersey
Tickets in advance - $50.00 each
(Package of 12 available for price of 10)
October 2003:
October 5 -- Indianapolis Walk to d'feet ALS
Carmel Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Check with www.alsaindiana.org
for details.
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