Aubrey Miller was terrified.

His daughter Amy was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 3, leaving him and his wife, Beverly, with many unanswered questions.

“It was tough and constraining, and we had to do shots with the right amount at the right time. Meals and snacks were structured to control blood sugar levels. It is more than an inconvenience, it is a life-threatening set of circumstances,” Miller said.

He has been the director of the Birmingham chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for six years. The goals of the foundation can be found in three words: cure, treatment and prevention.

Aubrey Miller from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

“Things have improved tremendously. Now at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, we raise money to fund research all over the world to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes,” Miller said. “We aspire to get to a place in the world where Type 1 is Type None.”

Money raised goes toward a cure and less invasive treatments for the patients, as well as prevention. With insulin pumps and monitors widely available, the disease can be handled more efficiently. JDRF assists families with Type 1 diabetes by providing support, pump and monitor kit, and literature that explains the disease.

“The future is bright,” Miller said. “I get goose bumps occasionally when I hear of a step forward in research toward a cure. I wouldn’t trade this for anything. I might have started because of Amy, but now it feels wonderful to be a positive influence on so many people. I get to help everyone who suffers from Type 1 diabetes.”

Nearly 3 million Americans suffer from Type 1 diabetes, which can affect major organs in the body including the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys.

In 2006, JDRF launched the Artificial Pancreas Project (APP) to accelerate the development of a commercially viable artificial pancreas as a system to mimic the biological function of the pancreas for patients with Type 1 diabetes. By automating detection of blood sugar levels and delivery of insulin, an artificial pancreas has the potential to transform people’s lives.

Miller is excited about the research funded by the JDRF.

“We have made more advances in the past 10 years than the 50 years prior,” he said. “At the same time, I look at my grandchildren and wonder if they are going to be victims to this.”

The Birmingham JDRF helps more than 8,000 families with programs in research and outreach. Many of the programs have become extremely popular, such as the Bag of Hope for children, which contains fun books, Rufus the Teddy Bear, and blood testing equipment.

“My daughter is very proud I am doing this, and that I keep her abreast of developments. She knows she is one of my drivers,” Miller said.

He sees the foundation achieving successful therapies in five to 10 years, as well as engaging the rural community.

Miller has been on the governor’s cabinet as director of Tourism and Travel and held many other leadership positions. Yet, when asked about his three biggest accomplishments, he said he had not done anything significant. When prodded, Miller listed the following three, not in a specific order. After reading these, you will realize that boasting is not one of Miller’s traits.

1. Working with the JDRF to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
2. Exercising his faith in a community that is forward thinking and trust oriented. (Miller is the senior pastor at Faith Church in Birmingham.)
3. Being a father to wonderful girls and husband to an awesome woman.

Humility is definitely a main thing with Aubrey Miller, and terror is a thing of the past.

Alabama Bright Lights captures the stories, through words, pictures and video, of some of our state’s brightest lights who are working to make Alabama an even better place to live, work and play. Award-winning photojournalist Karim Shamsi-Basha tells their inspiring stories. Email him comments, as well as suggestions on people to profile, at karimshamsibasha@gmail.com.