Light Up for Miller

Thank you to Taylor and Chris Collins and the White Rock community who came together at Memorial Park for the first annual Light Up for Miller, held in memory of Taylor and Chris’s son, Miller.

The incredible turnout made for a beautiful and meaningful evening. Friends, family, and community members gathered to connect, share a sweet treat, honour Miller’s life, and watch the White Rock Pier glow green on the final evening of World Mitochondrial Disease Week. Thank you to @mayasicecreamwhiterock , @sweetlifesouth_surrey, Irie Photographs, and @laurahynekphotography for generously supporting the event.⁠

Together, the community raised an incredible $6,024.16 for MitoCanada, helping support awareness, research, advocacy, and Canadians impacted by mitochondrial disease.

Taylor and Chris Collins lost their 5-month-old son Miller to an extremely rare form of MT-TL1-related mitochondrial disease in October 2025. Although devastatingly short, Miller lived a beautiful life surrounded by family and full of playdates with his baby friends. He spent the majority of his life at their family’s cabin in Point Roberts enjoying the fresh ocean air, sunshine, and walks along the beach all summer long.

Aside from some slight muscle weakness, he was healthy and symptom-free up until just weeks before his passing when the disease began to noticeably impact his breathing, feeding, and energy levels. He received the most incredible care from BC Children’s Hospital, but after receiving the diagnosis the family was heartbroken to learn that there were no treatments available and that Miller would not recover.

Taylor and Chris now want nothing more than to carry on their son’s memory and legacy in ways that continue to light up the world the way that Miller lit up theirs. After learning about Light Up for Mito, and that their favourite hometown landmark already participated in the movement, Taylor and Chris thought the pier would be the perfect location and opportunity to bring people together, share Miller’s story and help spread awareness about mitochondrial disease within their community.

Taylor and Chris hope that this gathering will serve as a meaningful addition to the Light Up for Mito campaign, and most importantly a beautiful way for Miller’s life to have a positive impact on the lives of other families who continue to live with, and be affected by mitochondrial disease.