MHC Class II/Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome, Bone Marrow Transplant recipient, Graft Versus Host Disease Awareness

Miller was almost 2 years old when he was called home to be with Jesus. Miller was born 2 weeks early with a head full of hair and was over 9 pounds! He was a big healthy baby until about 6 months old, when he was having trouble breathing and was rushed to the Emergency Room. From the ER in Mandeville, he was airlifted to Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, where he needed to be intubated after a few days in the PICU. At first, the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong, until weeks later he was diagnosed with PJP, a rare form of pneumonia that targets people who are immunocompromised. After weeks of testing, Miller was finally diagnosed with MHC Class II deficiency, or Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome, a rare genetic condition. The only cure is a Bone Marrow Transplant.

After months of being on the Be the Match registry, Miller had a match! Miller received not one, but two Bone Marrow Transplants from his generous donor. While Miller was in the hospital for his transplant, he caught Covid and also developed VOD. Miller was able to overcome every obstacle while in the hospital during his transplant! He also got to celebrate his first birthday in the hospital, before finally getting to go home after a 2.5 month long hospital stay. 

After months of being home after his transplant, Miller unfortunately developed GVHD, Graft Versus Host Disease, which ultimately took over his body and is the reason he isn’t here with us today. 

Miller loved his NolaBee pajamas. He spent most of his days, both at home and in the hospital, wearing his pajamas. He had one of every pattern, and looked pretty cute wearing them too! We love and miss him so very much, but we hope that you’ll all help us keep his memory alive by wearing your pajamas and telling his story for years to come.