Fayette educator fights cancer with help of colleagues

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- After once being given the “all clear” after fighting off cancer, the deadly disease has come back stronger in a Fayette County elementary school teacher.

Her colleagues are sending a strong message that she doesn’t have to fight this battle alone on any front.

Mickey Miller teaches at Mill Creek Elementary, part of the Fayette County Public School system. Her colleagues remember how she fought through a school year, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, all the while caring for her students and co-workers.

“It was, I mean, it was a gut-wrenching blow just to see so quickly that it came back and it was hard on us as a staff,” says Sid Gentry. The first grade teacher is wearing a very special shirt Thursday.

The shirt reads, “Mickey’s Pride.” It’s fitting because the school’s mascot is the lion.

“We really wanted to just gather behind her as a staff. Our school is so much like a family,” says Gentry who tells us some proceeds from shirt sales will go directly to Miller’s family of six, plus three grandchildren.

Miller’s students miss her dearly. Peyton Woods, who spoke with ABC 36 says she missed how sweet and kind Miller is when she’s not there, although Miller makes a point not to miss class if it can be helped.

Woods’ favorite part about her shirt? It has Miller’s first name on it.

Miller’s colleagues want you to be able to purchase a shirt. If you’re interested contact Stephanie Whitaker. Her email is stephanie.whitaker@fayette.kyschools.us.

There’s also a GoFundMe page set up to help Miller’s family with costs associated with her illness. Find that here: https://www.gofundme.com/mickeymillerlex.