Jordan Cameron poses with the Miller's at the Draft Day screening
The Cleveland Browns welcomed a special guest to walk the "orange carpet" with the players Tuesday night at the Draft Day screening. Decked out in snazzy suit and a Browns hat, Frank Miller, 13, and his family shook hands with players, obtained autographs and smiled for photographers.
Jordan Cameron, Jabaal Sheard, Garrett Gilkey, Joe Thomas, Brian Hoyer and John Hughes were the players who took time to interact with the Miller's.
"This is actually pretty amazing," Frank said, with a wide-eyed grin. "Collecting autographs is my favorite."
In September of 2013, the Millers received news no family wants to hear: Frank was diagnosed with Leukemia.
"I had a suspicion something was wrong," said Frank's step-father, Darrell. "When he started to lose weight, we were concerned."
When cancer strikes, it tests the strength of a family. The Millers remained a strong close-knit unit but knew they would need some assistance in giving Frank the best care possible.
Enter The Littlest Heroes, a local, grassroots non-profit organization, whose main purpose is to impact the lives of children with cancer and their families. Since 2001, the organization has helped more than 1,000 families in the Northeast Ohio area. When the Millers were in need for a helping hand, The Littlest Heroes came through. Whether it was meals or financial aid, or even setting a meet and greet with the Cleveland Browns players; you name it, the charity will do its best in making it a reality.
Thankfully, the news is looking upbeat for Frank. His cancer is in remission. Feeling healthier each day, Frank is hoping of playing football in the near future. If he ever got the change to suit up for the Browns, he said he would love to play right guard.
"I like the how the big guys hit each other. I could do that," said Frank.
The Browns are proud to partner with The Littlest Heroes throughout the year. Annually, players, coaches and their wives adopt Littlest Heroes' families to support them during the holiday season through the team's Adopt-a-Family program. The holiday program benefits these children and their families served by The Littlest Heroes that are struggling finically during the holiday season as a result of medical treatment and diagnosis of cancer for a child in their immediate family.
This past year, 16 families associated with The Littlest Heroes were adopted by the Browns. Last fall, the team worked directly with The Littlest Heroes to provide the once in a lifetime experience for 5 year old, Ryan Encinas, as he got to score a touchdown with the entire team behind him during Family Night.
