My name is Alex Miller. I am 10 years old and in the fifth grade at Trinity Episcopal Day School. I like to play golf, basketball, football and soccer. And, I have asthma. Sometimes my asthma keeps me from doing some of these activities. I take medications every day to help keep my asthma under control. But sometimes, I still have trouble.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can be life threatening. Asthma causes breathing problems called attacks. These attacks get started or “triggered” by something that bothers your lungs. This could be allergies, viruses (such as colds or flu), particles in the air or infections. My asthma is triggered by infections — both viral and bacterial — as well as weather changes.

I am a member of the “Asthma Angels” team going to Jackson on Nov. 11 to participate in the Asthma Walk. The American Lung Association does these walks across the nation to raise funds and awareness about asthma. This will be my fifth year to participate.

The money raised during the walk goes to research, programs for children like Camp Wheez-Away, SuperKids, Coaches Care and patient education. I feel lucky that I have been chosen to attend Camp Wheez-Away the past three summers. It is a week-long camp held at Wesley Pines in Gallman. The camp is staffed by American Lung Association employees and volunteers, along with doctors, nurses and respiratory Therapists. We learn how to manage our asthma, how our medicines work, make friends with other kids that have asthma, swim, canoe and fish. You have to be considered to have moderate to severe asthma to attend. It is so much fun.

My mom, Kala Miller, and my friend, Lynda Blanton, are the captains of our team. They also have asthma. So does my sister, Kacie. Miss Lynda’s daughter, Leslie, died from an asthma attack when she was 17. If you would like to make a donation or join our team, please call my mom at 318-336-1136 or Lynda Blanton at 601-446-7051.

I’m working very hard to raise money because I hope they can find a cure for asthma in my lifetime. Last year, I was recognized as the individual raising the most money in the state of Mississippi by raising $1,000. Our team raised about $3,500. I hope we can do better this year. If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.

Alex Miller is fifth-grade student at Trinity Episcopal Day School.