Preston's Fight: Surgeries and Hope

Captain Preston Miller

Meet Preston, a 26-year-old local from Bay County, born and raised in beautiful Panama City, Florida. He's a beloved figure in the fishing and hunting community, known for his warm heart and willingness to lend a hand. Unfortunately, Preston faced a tough battle after undergoing surgery for a herniated disc in early January. Things took a turn for the worse, leading to two additional surgeries to address severe damage to his dura and extensive cerebral spinal fluid leaks—much more serious than a simple “blood patch” can fix.

For over two months now, he’s been suffering through this ordeal, spending a significant amount of time in the ICU with drains to relieve pressure on his spine. This is his second ICU stay, and he’ll be there for several more days at a minimum. The road to recovery is long and uncertain, and we still don’t know what his overall functionality will look like moving forward. Since the end of December, Preston has been unable to work due to his injury, which has put a strain on his family.

He’s a devoted father to his precious 2-year-old son, Reef, and has been helping to raise his adorable 4-year-old daughter, Elena Grace. They adore their daddy, and it breaks his heart that he can't care for them physically or financially during this challenging time. As bills continue to pile up, it’s been a heavy burden. Initially, Preston didn’t have health insurance, but they’ve managed to secure some coverage to help with future costs, though he still faces multiple expenses from his surgeries.

We’re reaching out to ask for your help. Preston is the kind of guy who would give the shirt off his back to help others in need. He’s a man of God, an amazing friend to many, a doting father, a pesky big brother, and a loving son. He’s proud, and it’s hard for him to ask for help, but he truly needs it right now.