GREAT SOCCER, GREAT CAUSE: Charity night to support Nathan’s Ninjas
Nathan Miller is pictured with members of the 2023 Canton soccer team.
Thursday night’s Canton-vs.-Salem girls soccer match will have a huge impact on the KLAA West Division standings and on an uplifting charity that assists people diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, including Canton High School freshman Nathan Miller.
Set for 7 p.m. on the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park’s east turf field, the match will feature the undefeated Rocks and the once-beaten Chiefs.
It will also serve as a fundraiser for Nathan’s Ninjas, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps fund Nathan’s medical needs that aren’t covered by insurance — and the needs of other Detroit-area families whose children were recently diagnosed with Duchenne.
In addition to a 50/50 raffle, a bake sale and the selling of cool bracelets, the night will feature a fun penalty-kick shootout at halftime during which people can purchase tickets for an opportunity to take shots at Canton High School principal David Reed-Nordwall and/or P-CEP educator Dave Gerlach.
Following the lead provided by another metro-Detroit family whose lives were impacted by a Duchenne diagnosis several years ago, Nathan’s parents (Andrea and Ryan) established Nathan’s Ninjas not long after his diagnosis in 2015.
‘Never give up’
“Not long after the original diagnosis when Nate was 5, Andrea’s sister bought Nate a Ninja Turtle pajama set with a mask and everything,” Ryan Miller said. “He tried it on, struck a pose and said something about Raphael (one of the Turtles) never giving up.”
A short time later, Andrea was discussing running-related fundraising ideas with a group of friends.
“They actually started talking about Nathan’s Ninjas and it stuck,” Andrea said. “I loved how it went along with his outfit and the words he said.”
The Millers have organized eight fund-raising 5K walk/runs, which draw up to 400 participants, and an annual autumn golf outing.
To read more about how the Miller family has inspired others with the way they’ve handled Nathan’s diagnosis, click here.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
