Raising Awareness for Amyloidosis at Barrett-Jackson

Thanks to the support of Barrett-Jackson Auto Auctions, San Diego Classic and Muscle Cars and countless other volunteers, the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation raised $31,000 on January 19, 2011 to fight Amyloidosis. To watch the video on Corvette Blogger of the 1973 Corvette being Auctioned off, click here.

You may be wondering, “what the heck is Amyloidosis?”

AMYLOIDOSIS occurs when enough abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up in one or more organs to cause a malfunction. As an abnormal protein, amyloid originates in bone marrow. The heart, kidneys, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract are most often affected by the disease.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS of Amyloidosis depend on the organs affected. The wide range of symptoms makes it difficult to diagnose.

Chip Miller was known worldwide for his resilient positive attitude, his passion for Corvettes, his tremendous personal Corvette collection and for creating the grandest Corvette event anywhere on the planet – Corvettes at Carlisle. Chip and his close friend Bill Miller founded the incredibly successful automotive event production company, Carlisle Events, held at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania.

In December 2003, Chip was diagnosed with Amyloidosis. Sadly, due to complications from the Amyloidosis, the world lost an incredibly special human being on March 25, 2004. Had Chip and his doctors been aware of the symptoms of the disease when they first presented, this legend might still be with us today.

THE MISSION of the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation is to empower people with the knowledge and understanding of Amyloidosis for earlier detection, ensuring a better quality of life for those afflicted with the disease and to help science find a cure.

It is because of companies like Barrett-Jackson and San Diego Classics that we can spread the word about this terrible disease to a larger audience. If we save one life, we’ve done our job.

TO LEARN MORE about Amyloidosis and to make a donation to the Chip Miller Charitable Foundation, visit our site at www.ChipMiller.org.