Miller community comes together in big way with fundraiser for two local men fighting cancer

If you’ve ever doubted what it means to live in a small town, then you should’ve been at Miller High School last Saturday evening.
The front hallway was full and the gym bleachers looked like they were packed for a championship ballgame.
But there was no game. Instead the crowd gathered was there in support of two Miller men, Randy Burton and Grady Reach, along with their families.
Both men, each recently diagnosed with cancer, were at the benefit and in total awe of the throng of people who were there just for them.
“My family was blown away with the love and kindness from friends and family (at the benefit), and we appreciate it more than we can say. We want to say thank you to each and everyone of you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Burton.
Burton, who is battling stomach cancer for the second time has chosen to receive treatments at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Chicago, which means travel expenses add up quickly. His wife, Pam, figured that for the remainder of his treatments, estimated to be no less than three years, plane tickets will cost upwards of $15,000.
Grady Reach, longtime Miller resident, was just recently diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer, after a 10-pound mass in his abdomen proved to be cancerous.
“This cancer journey is still very new to myself and my family so there are so many unknowns that we think about almost daily. How we were going to take care of things around the house and farm, along with all the medical tests, scans, appointments and the expenses that go along with it are the heaviest on our minds,” said Reach, adding how humbling it was to see so many people come together to support he and his family.
Reach, also plans to seek treatment at CTCA, so funds raised at the benefit will mostly go towards travel expenses for him, as well.