In 2002, Isaiah and Doris Miller lost their 39 year old daughter, Kecia E. Miller, to breast cancer. Kecia was a vivacious, ambitious and well-educated African American woman. She fought breast cancer for four years. Before her death, she told her mother “If I had known then what I know now about breast cancer, I would never be in this condition.” Doris Miller wants to ensure that other young African-American women know the facts about breast- and other cancers to avoid untimely deaths. In the spring of 2004, she held her first Garden Party, opening her home and her beautiful garden to women in the Sea Islands to celebrate health, honor the life of her daughter, and empower women to seek education and screening for themselves and loved ones. Participants were treated to information from cancer experts, live jazz, and a luncheon. They learned about disparities in cancer deaths for African-Americans and how they can be a part of reducing disparities. More than 200 women attended, and since then have followed up with church and community events to spread the word about early diagnosis and treatment. In 2005, Mrs. Miller established the Kecia E. Miller Foundation, Inc., and hosted the second Garden Party with at least 225 women attending. The key message was the importance of participating in clinical trials so that researchers and clinicians learn more about effective treatment to increase survival and quality of life for minority populations. 
Garden Parties, 2007
 Garden Party Process
Under the guidance of Doris Miller, each Garden Party hostess develops a Coalition of Women to plan the event. Garden Parties are advertised via local radio/TV, local newspapers, church bulletins, local businesses, and in the neighborhood by word of mouth. Each garden, replete with a celebratory theme, party includes cancer prevention and control speakers and education materials, followed by a catered luncheon with music.
 Garden parties build a network of women who are highly involved in the prevention and control of cancer for themselves, their families and their communities. The Hollings Cancer Center will continue to work with the Kecia E. Miller Foundation to expand the Garden Party concept throughout the state of South Carolina. Garden Party Program Brochure
For more information, please refer to our informational brochure by clicking the link above. Please check back for information about Garden Parties planned for the second half of 2008. | 
