Mom to Jake, age 8
and Gabriella
Leesburg, VA
Ellyn Miller
Nominated by Christina Croll
Ellyn Miller demonstrates that a
mother’s love never dies...even
after a child leaves this earth. A little
over two years ago, Ellyn lost her
10-year-old daughter Gabriella to
brain cancer. Ellyn works tirelessly
with the support of her husband,
Mark, and their son, Jake, to honor
Gabriella’s memory through the
Smashing Walnuts Foundation,
a charity started by the family to
raise money for childhood brain
cancer research. Ellyn is a fiercely
determined advocate for all children,
lobbying on Capitol Hill, hosting
fundraising events and speaking
to community groups about the
prevalence of childhood cancer.

Before she died, Gabriella vowed
her friends and family would “carry
on the war” against childhood
cancer. Ellyn is more dedicated than
ever to doing just that.

likely picked it up from me. My children
inspire me to become a better person.

What is the best parenting advice
you’ve ever received?
My mom would tell me that I didn’t
walk, get any teeth and was bald until
I was over 1-year-old. We live in a
competitive society. We, as parents,
read about the milestones our children
are supposed to accomplish and feel as
though our own child needs to meet or
exceed these timeframes ─ especially
when we see other children doing so.

Relax and remember that our children
will meet these milestones in their own
time. You won’t be carrying your child
down the graduation aisle wearing
diapers...they will learn to walk and be
potty trained!
What advice would you give to new
or expectant mothers?
Record (in writing) the funny things
that your children say. Technology
allows us to pull out our phone and jot
down the funny things they say and do.

16 May 2016 washingtonFAMILY.com
What goals do you have
for yourself?
As your kids get older, they will love to
hear the things they said and thought.

And, you will love the memories these
quotes will evoke.

Describe a favorite mom moment.

The quiet moments when there are
no interruptions and we can snuggle
together and share the day with one
another. Who is your role model?
My children are my role models. They
challenge my thoughts of right and
wrong. If they have a “bad” habit, I look
no further than myself, as they most
Two weeks after our Gabriella died,
we were asked permission to use her
name for a House Bill, now known as
the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research
Act (GMKFRA), that would give $126
million to the Common Fund for
childhood disease research at NIH.

Professionally, my goals are to continue
to grow Smashing Walnuts Foundation
nationally and internationally. And, to
insure the GMKFRA is appropriated for
the remaining eight years.

What goals do you have for
your children?
My goal is for my son to grow up
as a happy, healthy and kind person.

Having a great foundation for being a
good person will lead to a positive and
productive life.