West Des Moines teacher battling cancer hopes to inspire his community

West Des Moines teacher battling cancer hopes to inspire his community 
KCCI Des Moine, IA; by Nicole Tam; 10/4/24 
Luke Miller's passion is teaching. Two and a half years ago, he faced the biggest test of his life. "I went into the doctor with a pain on my side," Miller said. An MRI showed tumors in his liver that spread from his colon. "I was told I might have a year to live and I would never have surgery," Miller said. He beat those odds but the battle continues. Through it all, nothing stopped him from doing what he loved. ... This fall, Miller stepped away from the classroom. Even as he goes through a hospice at EveryStep's Kavanagh House, the students are still with Mr. Miller. His room is filled with handwritten notes, pictures and reminders of hope. ... At Westridge Elementary School, starting from the outside as people are driving to school to the inside, there are signs of support for Miller including the digital message board and posters in the hallway. "We want to support the Millers, not only now but in the future as well. We want them to know we'll always be here for them because Luke was always here for us," Troy Ellerbroek, Westridge Elementary School teacher, said.