As many in theMilford community know, Coach Hill’s daughter Maleena was unfortunately diagnosed with Leukemia. The Hill family has been going through and very hard time emotionally and physically. Hill’s wife had to take a permanent leave from her job so the she could be there with Maleena at the hospital. Coach Hill is balancing work, his other daughter and hospital trips as well.

Recently, with much thanks to Ms. Geraci and Mr. Scranton, from the community and high school we all were able to raise over 20,000 dollars for the Hill family and donations are still slowly rolling in. The Comeback Inn, owned by Joe Baker, helped raise the money by donating part of their proceeds in support for the Hill family.

At the Comeback Inn fundraiser, there was 50/50 raffle going on and a silent auction table that had amazing items such as a signed Tom Izzo ball, Joel Forman ball, who is a former MHS student and now plays for MSU, Gary Sheffield jersey, Red Wings tickets and many others.

The auction table at the Hill fundraiser.

“I would just like to thank everyone who came out and supported the Hill family.” Geraci stated. “I would also like to acknowledge the staff members and departments that took the time to put together baskets.”

Many friends of the Hills, students, staff members and community members showed how much they cared by coming to the Comeback Inn. Geraci and Scranton, who both put this fundraiser together, were very pleased with the amount of people that attended. Students, like senior Sydney Miles, said that the lines seemed like they continued forever as the poured out the door.

 “Everyone going there knew that they were going for a good cause,” Miles stated. “It just showed that they cared and wanted support the Hill family.”

Coach Hill would like to send out a special thanks to everyone as well.  All the support and everyone showing how much they care seemed somewhat overwhelming to him at times, but meant a great deal to both him and his family.  Hill said Maleena just started the second stage (day 7 out of 28 as of the first week in February) is responding well to the treatments with minor side effects but that’s very typical. She just went through the second stage (day 7 out of 28).

If you would like to keep updated on Maleena you can visit her at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maleenahill and just click journal for the update.