Don Miller's Medical Expenses

Don Miller is a well-known horseman in the northwest. He grew up on the backside and many of you have seen Don play different roles at the racetrack; from grooming, to being an exercise rider, assistant starter, and currently the starter at Emerald Downs. At 13 Don was milking cows in Tillamook, OR with his brother Danny. Then he went to Portland Meadows in 1977, Longacres, where Art McCready hired him on the gate crew in 1980 and later going to Yakima Meadows and Emerald Downs. 

 

Don isn’t the only one involved in the racing industry, wife Bev, son Clay, father Elmer Miller, mother Sherrille Schaefer, and siblings Debbie and Danny were all familiar faces around the track. 

 

This summer Don was enjoying a day off alongside the river bank where you could usually find him with a pole in his hand. Unfortunately this didn’t end like a normal day of fishing. Don found himself dizzy, weak, and crawling back up the bank to his vehicle. 

 

On August 16th Don was diagnosed with bladder cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes. September 17th he had surgery that removed 75% of the tumor on his bladder. Countless infections have landed him back in Good Sam Emergency Care after having surgery. The next step is to start chemo-radiation. 

 

Don is devoted to horse racing and loves working with all thoroughbred horsemen. However, working at the racetrack has it’s downfalls in times like these. Don does not have health benefits or a retirement plan to help him with the expenses during all his medical treatment. Don, Bev, and Clay would appreciate all the love and support their racetrack family has to offer.