Smashing Walnuts Foundation Applauds Introduction of

The Kids First Research Act 2.0

“It’s a Good Day in the Fight against Childhood Cancer”

LEESBURG, VA— Smashing Walnuts Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of, and funds for, finding a cure for childhood brain cancer. Today, Smashing Walnuts Foundation commends Congresswoman Barbara Comstock of Virginia for introducing The Kids First Research Act 2.0; H.R. (House Resolution) 2008. “The Kids First Research Act 2.0 will transfer approximately $320 million in idle federal funds to the NIH to be used for childhood cancer research and other pediatric diseases, and continues the legacy of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act which was signed into law three years ago. Smashing Walnuts Foundation, founded and led by Ellyn and Mark Miller, is working tirelessly to find cures for childhood cancer and these funds will help continue the innovative and cutting-edge work being done at the NIH to find cures.” – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA).

This legislation would redirect $320 million of unspent funds from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support research on childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases.

The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, also known as “The 10-Year Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative Fund” or “Kids First 1.0”, provided a stream of funding to NIH over a ten-year period in order to advance research for childhood cancer and other pediatric diseases. While this was a critical first step, much vital research remains – there are so many scientific avenues left to explore. “In spite of its tragic nature, childhood cancer remains a devastatingly underfunded area of disease research, comprising less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s annual budget,” stated Ellyn Miller, Gabriella’s mother and Founder and President of Smashing Walnuts Foundation. “We commend Congresswoman Comstock for exploring creative solutions to address this shortfall and we look forward to working with her to ensure the legislation’s passage.”

As Congresswoman Comstock noted at the bill’s introduction, more than 10,000 children (under the age of 14) in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Comstock noted, “That is why today we are introducing, The Kids First Research Act 2.0, a bill which will provide additional funding to ramp up the needed research for childhood cancer and other disorders that strike our children.”

During her battle with a walnut-sized brain tumor, Gabriella urged Members of Congress to “Stop talking and start doing…We need ACTION!” In that spirit, Smashing Walnuts Foundation urges Congress to swiftly advance the Kids First Research Act 2.0 to redirect these unused funds to a lifesaving and urgent cause. We pledge to mobilize all of the resources and all of the supporters we can to join in this effort.

 

About Smashing Walnuts:

Smashing Walnuts Foundation has, through individual and collaborative donations, helped fund numerous grants toward childhood brain cancer research; including the doctor who has her brain tumor, to conduct essential research. Three (3) months before Gabriella’s death in October 2013, Gabriella, along with her parents, Mark and Ellyn Miller and her younger brother; established the non-profit Smashing Walnuts Foundation; whose mission is to raise awareness of the prevalence of childhood cancer and to raise funds for childhood brain cancer research. After Gabriella was diagnosed with a walnut-sized brain tumor, her family began to smash walnuts with a frying pan to symbolize smashing her tumor. Gabriella Miller became a global advocate for children with cancer and accomplished much in her short life; raising nearly $300,000 for children’s cancer charities, co-authoring a book about childhood cancer, speaking at numerous events, including Curefest on the National Mall, and inspiring her parents to pledge their lifelong commitment to carry on her work. For more information about Smashing Walnuts Foundation and childhood cancer brain cancer, please visit www.smashingwalnuts.org. Smashing Walnuts Foundation is a component fund of The Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

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