In Loving Memory of Miller
Cancer Warrior Miller Hines, 15-years-old | Oklahoma City, OK
Miller was first diagnosed with FLT3 Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in October 2019 and began treatment at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, where he endured two rounds of intensive inpatient chemotherapy. He was declared in remission and, in February 2020, underwent a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor—who later selflessly donated a second time to help Miller reach full donor cells.
For nearly two and a half years, Miller lived cancer-free. He returned to school, played sports, and navigated life with a resilience and joy far beyond his years.
In 2022, Miller relapsed, and his condition became critical very quickly. After a rapid decline, he was transferred by air ambulance to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where a phase-one clinical trial successfully cleared his leukemia within six weeks. He then underwent a second bone marrow transplant, this time with his mother as his donor, and has remained cancer-free since.
However, the life-saving treatments came with significant long-term effects. Miller developed chronic graft-versus-host disease, which led to Bronchiolitis obliterans (a rare, progressive lung disease with no cure). He was later evaluated for a lung transplant at Texas Children’s Hospital.
Throughout his journey, Sky High walked alongside Miller and his family as closely as possible given his frequent travel for care. In partnership with Kodiak Cares Foundation, we were honored to sponsor a special trip to Houston, where Miller and his family toured NASA, enjoyed some Southern food, and experienced unforgettable moments with the Astros: participating in batting practice and throwing out the first pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Unfortunately, Miller was not able to be placed as a transplant recipient and was flown back to St. Jude, where he was placed on comfort care as he neared the end of his life. In his final days, Miller spent time talking with the Lord, surrounded by close family and friends, playing Legos (his favorite pastime) and watching the Oklahoma Sooners.
Miller was strong. He was smart. He was goofy. He was generous. He was inspiring. He gave back to fellow Warriors, carrying an outlook of hope and optimism even in the face of his own circumstances. While his journey did not end the way we prayed for, his legacy of courage, faith, and light will continue to live on.
