Inspired by the tragic story of Shaun ‘Bomber’ Miller, Essendon champion Jobe Watson has helped launch The Shaun Miller Foundation to educate the world, fund research and find a cure for Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).                                                                                        

Shaun Miller passed away five years ago. He had undergone two heart transplants and spent much of his life in hospital only to be diagnosed with Chronic Heart Rejection shortly after his 17^th birthday.

Before his passing, millions of people across the world were moved by Shaun’s heartbreaking farewell message on YouTube, including Jobe.

A passionate Essendon supporter, Shaun lived his childhood dream meeting his favourite player live on The Footy Show in 2012, a moment Jobe has never forgotten.

“It was the first time I had ever been on The Footy Show and I came on to meet Shaun. I remember sitting there on the panel with Sam Newman, we watched the package of his story and then he came up and said hello and we talked a bit,” Watson said.

“To hear what he was going through but also his positive attitude about life and the wisdom that he held for such a young kid even though he was in such dire circumstances was inspiring.”

Watson said Shaun’s You Tube video entitled ‘Awesome Ride’ was incredibly moving and put everything in life into perspective. 

“It is hard to believe the whole idea was about an awesome ride but what he was saying to people was really about not taking life for granted,” Watson said.

“You're looking at a 17 year old boy saying this to you, it is difficult to know when you are going through things in your own life and you see a young kid with that kind of perspective of what's important and what life really means and how valuable life is, you see someone who doesn’t have the opportunity to live his life and the attitude that he has to inspire others, it is very powerful.”

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) accounts for 30% of deaths of Children under five all around the world and every week 42 babies are born with CHD.

A whopping 80 per cent of all cases of CHD remain unsolved because Doctors have no idea what causes this deadly disease.

Watson has thrown his support behind the foundation and is encouraging everyone to contribute and help find a cure for CHD.

“It's been five years since that happened and obviously Shaun has passed away but it is a wonderful opportunity to get involved and support the foundation and the family who are trying to do something and that’s why I am really thrilled to be part of it,” he said.

For more information or to donate, click here.