The Little Al Foundation was created in memory of Alan Andrew Dean Miller.  Alan was born July 23, 2004, and died January 15, 2005 of a congenital heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.  Upon learning of their son's condition, the foundation's founders, Ryan and Holly Miller made the decision to travel from their home in Des Moines, Iowa to the University of Michigan CS Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Knowing that their son would have to have his first of at least three open heart surgeries within a week of birth, they headed east not knowing how long they would be away from their home.  It could be anywhere from a few short weeks, to months, or even longer.

While there, the Millers met many other couples who were also far away from their homes.  What they discovered when talking to these other families was that only one parent was able to be there all the time.  In most cases, the other parent had to travel home in order to work and only be with his/her family a few days a week.  One day over lunch Ryan decided this should not be!  He thought there had to be a way to help these families be all together while their child was receiving the care he/she needed.  Thus, the Little Al Foundation was born! 

To read about their journey, go to Little Al's journal.