MIKE MILLER poses for a photo with Tanna Kingsbury, who is undergoing cancer treatments in Sioux Falls and Rochester.

NBA champion and Mitchell native Mike Miller stopped by the Castle last Friday morning and paid a visit to Tanna Kingsbury, who is just finishing up her sixth round of chemotherapy in her battle against bone cancer.
Miller was in Sioux Falls taking part in a Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser, “Night of Hope.”
Tanna was diagnosed this past spring with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a very rare form of bone cancer affecting mainly adolescents. Tanna has been doctoring at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. and Sanford’s Children’s Hospital, or “the Castle”, in Sioux Falls. After finishing up round six of chemo this week, surgery is expected to be scheduled to remove the tumor.
Miller is just coming off of his second straight NBA title with the Miami Heat. Miller is a 1998 graduate from Mitchell High School and was a fifth round pick in the 2000 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic.

THE LUCAS 2 is demonstrated on a dummy during an EMT meeting in the Community Center.

The Sanborn County Ambulance Association has recently purchased a LUCAS 2 Chest Compression System to aid EMTs in the event of a cardiac arrest and increase the possibility of positive outcomes in these incidences.
The LUCAS 2 electronically performs chest compressions on cardiac arrest patients. A long plastic piece is placed underneath the patient to stabilize the apparatus. This hooks to an arc-like piece with a compression arm. The LUCAS 2 performs compressions tirelessly according to CPR guidlines, with each of two batteries lasting more than long enough to continue all the way to the hospital.
According to the LUCAS Web site, the device claims that studies have shown that LUCAS compressions are able to sustain a higher blood flow to the brain and heart compared to manual compressions. The LUCAS 2 can do this without the imperfections of human fatigue or error. The device is portable and fits inside a backpack for easy transport.
The Sanborn County Ambulance Association began fundraising for the LUCAS 2 last fall. The Sanborn County Commissioners agreed to match any funds raised up to half the amount of the device. The total cost of the LUCAS 2 was $15,000 and the Ambulance Association had raised the $7,500 to cover half of it by late spring.
The Ambulance Association is grateful for the donations they’ve received to purchase the LUCAS 2 and are optimistic it can help bring more positive outcomes in situations where CPR must be employed.