Fourth Annual “Big T Invitational” in memory of Thomas Miller raises 10-thousand dollars for UAB Hospital

The Fourth Annual Big T Invitational took place this Saturday in Biloxi. It’s more than just a golf tournament, but an event where people come together to honor a life they loved while helping others along the way. Sports Director Ansley Brent was at the invitational to interview Big T’s son, Blake Miller, to learn how he’s continuing his father’s legacy. She shares the story now.

The weather cooperated just in time Saturday afternoon for the 4th Annual Big T Invitational. 92 participants gathered at Sunkist Country Club to play golf and honor the life of their family member and friend, Thomas Miller. 

“He grew up playing golf after college a little bit like a normal, average person does and then got me into golf when I was a kid, and now everything I do now is with golf,” said his son, Blake Miller. “It’s been cool to see everybody come out and play the game I love, that he loves and everybody else enjoys to play.”

For many years, Miller battled with serious heart problems. Before passing in 2022, he wanted to give back to the hospital that helped him fight, which then created the Big T Invitational. Four years later, the Big T Foundation has raised over $28,000 dollars in honor of Thomas Miller.

“All the proceeds go to the LVAD Patient Assistance Fund at UAB which is where my dad went once a month,” said Miller. “He got a LVAD (left ventricle assist device) in 2016 which basically powered his heart. When he went to bed, he plugged up to a wall and it kept his heart pumping. He was very fond of UAB and the things they were able to do. If it weren’t for the LVAD, he wouldn’t have been able to live for six or seven years, so it’s very important that we’ve able to support the cause that he helped create at UAB.”

“This is an event I look forward to every year. We’re just so grateful and thankful to the Miller family for putting this on and for giving back to UAB,” said Whitney Williams, Development director in the department of medicine at UAB.

What an incredible event for an even better cause. Let the memory of Thomas Miller continue to bring people together to help those in need!

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