Adler Miller, 10-year-old with Diabetes, to Celebrate Anthem Home Run for Life at a Dragons Game

DAYTON, Ohio—Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio and the Dayton Dragons will host 10-year-old Adler Miller during the iconic Anthem Home Run for Life program on Wednesday, May 15, at 7:05 pm, when the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons at Day Air Ballpark in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Anthem Home Run for Life program provides children in the Dayton region who are battling serious medical conditions with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each honoree takes a lap around the bases at Day Air Ballpark during a Dragons home game while the crowd cheers them on.

Adler’s Story

In April of 2023, Adler’s parents accompanied her to her pediatrician’s office for a routine checkup. Adler, an outgoing 10-year-old who enjoys playing volleyball, dancing, and jumping on her trampoline had been waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. They were hoping to figure out why this new nighttime routine was happening.

The pediatrician alerted the Miller family of their concern that further testing could potentially lead to a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, meaning Adler’s blood sugar levels tested extremely high. Additional testing at the hospital confirmed this suspicion. Adler and her family spent the next three days meeting with dietitians, social workers, nurses, and doctors, learning how to deal with the challenges of her new normal.

After transitioning back home, the Millers had plenty to adjust to – monitoring carbs, attending quarterly checkups, and administering insulin shots. Adler faces many challenges. One of them is figuring out which foods spike her blood sugar. To monitor her sugar levels, Adler wears a Dexcom device that pairs to a mobile app. If her blood sugar levels get too low, she must eat a fast-acting carb. If her blood sugar level becomes too high, an insulin shot is administered. Adler has been very strong through her journey. On the first day of Adler’s diagnosis, she was brave enough to give herself an insulin shot. Adler has administered nearly every insulin injection since.

Adler and her family faced this challenge head on. One year later, they are having an easier time adjusting to her new normal. Adler’s diagnosis makes her no different than anyone else. She and her family are grateful for how they’ve handled this challenging journey.

Adler has strong ambitions to make the world a better place. She aspires to become a pediatric endocrinologist because of the care she received from her medical team.

“Living with diabetes makes me feel that I can be inspiring and impactful in mine and others lives,” Adler said.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Adler’s life, including her mom, dad, sister, extended family, friends, and entire medical team.

Join us at the Dragons game on Wednesday, May 15, to celebrate Adler’s Home Run for Life.

To learn more about Anthem Home Run for Life, visit www.daytondragons.com/hrfl.