Published: May 11, 2016 | Updated: May 20, 2021
Linda and David Miles of Finchville, Kentucky, were inducted into the Wade Mountz Heritage Society in May 2013 for making a planned gift to benefit Norton Children’s Hospital through the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Each year, the Wade Mountz Heritage Society recognizes individuals and families who have made irrevocable planned gifts of $100,000 or more to the Norton Healthcare Foundation to support adult services at Norton Healthcare or to the Children’s Hospital Foundation to support pediatric initiatives and research at Norton Children’s Hospital.
The Mileses’ gift was a tribute to their granddaughter, Addison, who died in late 2013 after a 21-month battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Addison was just 2 years old.
“She moved mountains in her 25 months with us,” Linda Miles said. “She led armies of supporters, without ever walking or saying a word, and brought communities together in prayer.”
Losing a young child, like Addison, lends a unique perspective on what’s important in life.
“Until you have spent seven days a week, 24 hours a day for months on end inside a hospital room, struggling to save your child, it’s hard to understand why it’s so important to support a local children’s hospital that moves heaven and earth trying to save children every day,” David Miles said.
Addison is truly missed by all of her family, friends and the hospital staff who cared for her. The Miles family stays strong knowing that their positive, happy little girl who loved wearing bows in her hair is at peace and that they, along with Norton Children’s Hospital staff and physicians, left “no stone unturned” in trying to save her.
The Miles family not only made a generous planned gift to the Children’s Hospital Foundation, they also are involved in and look forward to the many fundraising events put on by foundation staff and community partners each year. Chili’s® Clip for Kids, which benefits pediatric cancer research at Norton Children’s Hospital, is especially close to their hearts. Addison was an honoree at the inaugural Chili’s Clip for Kids in May 2014; and her mother, Rachel, is on the annual event’s planning committee.
During Addison’s treatment, the Miles family and their friends wore bracelets reminding them to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer,” which comes from Romans 12:12.
“There is a silver lining to the difficult situation our family was faced with,” David Miles said. “Sometimes a tragic thing happens to good people and motivates them to action.”
“What we wish for the many children and families receiving lifesaving care at Norton Children’s Hospital is for them to feel confident knowing they are in the best place for care,” Linda Miles said. “Norton Children’s Hospital will truly, truly walk with you all the way.”
For more information on how you can make a planned gift to the Children’s Hospital Foundation, call (502) 629-8060 or visit HelpNortonChildrensHospital.com.