Tom Miller is many things- husband, father, Deadhead, music-lover, and beloved member of the Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati area) community. When Tom was diagnosed with ALS four years ago it was to no one’s surprise that his response to that diagnosis was to start the 501(c)(3) foundation Winning with ALS– an organization that awards grants to school-age children who have a parent diagnosed with ALS.

Tom launched the inaugural Cripple Creek Music Festival in 2018, which raised money for Winning with ALS through ticket sales and local corporate sponsorship. Year 2 of the festival (October 5 in Fort Mitchell, KY) will be headlined by Melvin Seals & JGB with special guest John Kadlecik (Furthur) — an incredible pairing of musicians steeped in the Grateful Dead ethos that will be fresh off their performance at LOCKN. The day will also be filled with other national and regional touring acts, a KY bourbon bar, local craft beer, and more.

I spoke with Tom before the inaugural festival and asked him about the mission of Winning with ALS- “After the initial shock of the diagnosis, the natural next step was to explore what resources were available. We found plenty of organizations to assist people suffering from the disease, or designed to fund research, etc. But we found little support for family members who are also greatly affected by a diagnosis. Our two children still have school lives, social lives, etc. to continue on with as part of the process of becoming an adult. This is difficult enough even without a parent with ALS, and we see that now more than ever. That’s why we started Winning with ALS as a means to hopefully fill a gap that had not been previously addressed, which is to award grants to support families like mine who all have to work together to fight this disease.” 

The group’s goal is to raise $60,000 for grants in Year 2. If you’re in the area, come out and celebrate. Or feel free to donate directly to Winning with ALS by visiting their website at  https://www.winningwithals.org/ .