Courage in the Face of Tragedy - The Larry Miller Family
For more than 20 years, Larry Miller was known nationally as the owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz. But what most people didn’t know about him was that he had type 2 diabetes.
After Larry passed away from diabetes complications last February, his family decided to work with the American Diabetes Association's Salt Lake City office and its Father of the Year event to spread awareness about the importance of good diabetes management.
Lives Changed Forever
"My life and the lives of my children and grandchildren have been forever changed by diabetes and the ravaging affects it had on my husband, Larry," said Larry's wife Gail.
Larry suffered from a heart attack last July and spent nearly 2 months in a hospital for diabetes-related complications. In January, he had both of his legs amputated below the knee.
"Larry suffered with a variety of long and debilitating complications of type 2 diabetes because he was 'too busy' to take care of himself in the early stages and ignored the warning signs," Gail commented. "It is very easy to deny even having the disease early on because the symptoms are silent. It is only when the 'bad things' start to happen that one starts to take notice. Unfortunately by then, it is often too late to keep things under control."
Leading the Fight Against Diabetes
Gail hopes that this Evening of Awareness, Help and Hope will help “others become aware of this dreadful disease, give hope to those who already have it and fund research to help find a cure."
Each year, the Father of the Year event selects men based on their ability to balance their personal and professional lives, and serve as a role model for their children, while making a positive difference in their communities. All proceeds from the event support the American Diabetes Association’s research, education and advocacy efforts.
Larry was an active family man, businessman and church member. He made his start in an auto parts shop then established a car dealership empire in seven states throughout the West.
"The Miller family has shown tremendous courage in the face of family tragedy," commented Laura Landon, the American Diabetes Association’s Executive Director in Utah. "The family's commitment to the fight against diabetes has significantly increased diabetes awareness in the community. The Millers continue to lead Utahns by encouraging the commitment to healthy choices and prevent losing a father or other family member to diabetes."