Lessening the burden for over 200 families battling childhood cancer, Erika Spies wholeheartedly launched The Brooklynn Miller Foundation as a final promise to her daughter Brooklynn before she gained her wings.

Before Brooklynn Miller lost her battle to cancer at age 12, she made her mother promise one thing – that she would establish a foundation in Brooklynn’s name dedicated to supporting other children who are cancer warriors. When Brooklynn sadly passed away, Erika wasted no time delivering on that promise and immediately quit her job as a teacher to jump full speed ahead into creating The Brooklynn Miller Foundation.

Since its launch, Erika has helped over 200 families who are going through the struggles that having a child with cancer uninvitingly welcomes. Her mission is all about bringing joy and creating lasting memories for kids facing cancer and critical illnesses, which comes through in various ways. “Brooklynn’s BAGs,” the foundation’s signature program, is named after fighters Brooklynn, Ava, and Gabe” – inspired by Brooklynn’s love for giving and receiving gifts, Erika crafted this initiative to give kids battling cancer personalized gifts. She especially loves to have this ready for Christmas morning, fulfilling her goal of bringing smiles to their faces and shining light on darker times during the holidays. Erika’s partnership with Dell Children’s Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital in Austin, plus McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple, spread the impact across Central Texas ensuring as many lives are touched as possible. Erika knows firsthand how having a child with cancer also affects parents, and she makes sure they feel the love as well – she designed a Couples Care Kit with parents of children receiving hospice care in mind so that they can have a moment of connection amidst challenging times. Everything she does through the foundation is funded fully off volunteer help and donations, and she’s deeply devoted to The Brooklynn Miller Foundation with her whole heart and soul.

“Erika’s been all in – she dedicates herself full time,” says board secretary and Erika’s childhood best friend, Kimberley Ham. “Our first board meeting, she’d already recruited people who believed in her and wanted to put in so much work with her on behalf of Brooklynn, so I realized how big this was about to be. I was like, ‘Wow – this is real, and it’s not going anywhere. She’s going to launch this nonprofit and do this! This is a permanent foundation that will make a difference in these kids’ and families’ lives.’”