Gabriella Miller was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor about a month ago.
Since the diagnosis, Miller is looking forward to a dream vacation to Paris, sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The 4th grader, however, found a way to return the favor to other children dealing with potentially life-threatening diseases.
Miller raised nearly $250,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, all by asking other children to send her their handwritten letters to Santa. Through social media, she was able to collect more than 200,000 letters from countries all around the globe including Saudi Arabia and Ecuador.
For each letter, Macy's donated a $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Miller made her first public appearance Sunday at the Macy's at Dulles Town Center in Virginia, where she was thanked by the Make-A-Wish Foundation for all of her accomplishments.
The 4th grader proved she's focused on what's really important in life.
"This is my motto, and I think you should use it, too," Miller told the crowd. "You might have a bad day, today, but there's always a bright star to look forward to tomorrow."
