Richard J. Miller, Jr. Celebrates the Gift of Life through Music
Blank Rome LLP is pleased to share that Richard J. Miller, Jr., a partner in Blank Rome’s Tax, Benefits, and Private Clients practice, has organized a Mass with a musical setting to celebrate his anonymous organ donor on May 28, 2022, at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. The Mass takes place one year after Rich received the gift of life from his donor through liver transplant surgery.
Rich was diagnosed with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in August 2019 and, in December 2020, underwent treatment to remove a cancerous tumor in his liver, consequently requiring an immediate need for a liver transplant. On May 31, 2021, Rich received the gift of life from an anonymous organ donor.
“No matter what happens in your life, if you become an organ donor, you become a hero,” Rich said. “My donor saved not only my life but saved numerous others through organ donation.”
The Mass will include a setting and performance of W.A. Mozart’s Missa Brevis in B-flat major (KV 275), with orchestra, chorus, and soloists. Professor Timothy J. Reno of Siena College will lead the ensemble of singers and musicians, which include Ann Marie Barker Schwartz and the Musicians of Ma’alwyck, as well as professional vocal soloists, including soprano Danielle Bavli, mezzo-soprano llana Starr, and bass-baritone Mark Risinger. Rich, who has sung professionally and who continues to sing and share his gift of music, will sing the tenor solos. He chose this early Mozart setting of the Mass because of its reflective yet upbeat and celebratory character.
The Mass is only one of the ways Rich is honoring his donor and the life he has been given. Rich will also be serving as Walk Chair of the American Liver Foundation's New York City Liver Life Walk on June 11, 2022.
The Mass will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. Fr. Kenneth P. Paulli will officiate. Rich requests that anyone wishing to make contributions in honor of his donor donates directly to The American Liver Foundation.
Blank Rome is honored to continue to support Rich throughout his transplant journey.
Event details of the Mass are below.
Date: May 28, 2022
Location: St. Mary of the Angels Chapel, Siena College 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, New York 12211
Time: 6:00 p.m.