Pam Miles, who waited more than 15 months for a double-lung transplant due to Cystic Fibrosis, died Sept. 7 in Arlington. At the time of her death, she was at the top of the lung transplant list at Fairfax Hospital and never lost hope that a new set of lungs would become available. Pam was 41.
A public relations executive who grew up in Central Square, New York, Pam was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in 1984 when she was a senior at Paul V. Moore High School.
She graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor of arts in journalism and went on to excel in the public relations profession. While advancing her career in Memphis, Tenn., and Arlington, she received her master’s degree in public relations from the Newhouse School of Communications through Syracuse University’s Independent Study Degree Program. In May 2002, she launched Miles Communications, a full-service public relations firm in Arlington, received her accreditation in public relations (APR) credential, and served as the president of the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter in 2004. She also was active in PRSA at the national level, most recently serving on the nominations committee. She enjoyed yoga, sailing, and theater.
In June 2006, doctors told Pam that she needed an immediate lung transplant to survive. A corps of volunteers, led by members of the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter, raised more than $101,000 to cover transplant-related expenses not covered by Pam’s health insurance. Donations were administered by The Children’s Organ Transplant Association www.cota.org.
Pam is survived by her family in Upstate New York: her mother and father, Ginny and Tom Miles of Central Square; her sister and brother-in-law Michelle and Timothy Ross; her nephew Caeden Ross and niece Teagan Ross; and her maternal grandmother Reba Tanner. She also leaves her chocolate brown cocker spaniel Olivia Godiva.
The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Children’s Organ Transplant Association.