Our Story
Where do all good things start? In the heart. At 9 years old, Gabriella Miller was diagnosed with DIPG – Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma – an inoperable brain tumor, which is terminal upon diagnosis. Her tumor was the size of a walnut. Gabriella quickly became a global advocate for children with cancer. She founded the Smashing Walnuts Foundation to increase awareness of the need for funding for childhood brain cancer research.
Less than a year after her diagnosis, Gabriella passed away surrounded by family and friends who promised to continue her work. An interview, filmed two weeks before her death, led to her name being added to a Federal Bill allocating $126 million for childhood disease research and kick started our mission to focus on research.
Today our organization provides funding, lobbying and directed resources to develop better treatment protocols and a cure. We partner with government organizations, lawmakers, businesses, nonprofits, communities and children who share our goal.