Marta Eliza Miller Foundation Surpasses $1 Million for Scoliosis Research and Awareness

Contributed Over $475,000 to the Spine Center in the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at CHLA

Major California Fundraiser Set for National Scoliosis Month in June

February 16, 2026 -The Marta Eliza Miller Foundation (MEMF) was born from a moment of uncertainty. In 2020, at just 13 years old, Marta Eliza Millerfounded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit alongside her mother, Corrina Clover Miller,after her scoliosis curve progressed to 48 degrees - a severity that threatened her future as a competitive U.S. Figure Skating ice dancer. Diagnosed at 11 and also navigating a shorter left leg, Marta was suddenly confronted with the possibility that the sport she loved might be taken from her. Instead of retreating, she created purpose. MEMF was established to support scoliosis awareness and to better educate and uplift young people facing the mental and physical challenges of the condition, guided by its motto: STAND TALL, BE STRONG and DREAM BIG.

At the time of MEMF's founding, Marta was undergoing extensive testing, X-rays, and MRIs at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) - ranked among the top 10 children's hospitals in the nation -where she has been monitored bi-annually since 2019. Wearing a flexible brace for up to 20 hours a day while continuing to train, and incorporating yoga, acupuncture, and intensive strengthening and stretching into her routine, Marta worked tirelessly to maintain her spinal health.

Since its inception, MEMF has raised more than $1 million for scoliosis awareness and research. The foundation has contributed over $475,000 to the Spine Center located in the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at CHLA to advance scoliosis research and awareness initiatives and recently helped fund the launch of CHLA's Momentum app, a specialized digital tool designed to assist clinicians in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal care. Marta, who became a Junior Ambassador for CHLA at age 12, has grown up within the very hospital she now supports. Through annual skating exhibitions - including an event at East West Ice Palace, home of Michelle Kwan. In recognition of MEMF's impact, an orthopedic patient exam room at CHLA was named for the foundation in 2024, and in 2026 the hospital's casting room - where young patients receive spinal casts - was officially named the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation Casting Room.

Now 19, Marta continues to embody the resilience at the heart of the foundation's work. A former competitive ice dancer of 10 years and recipient of the U.S. Figure Skating Graduating Senior Silver Award, she adapted her training to protect her spine while pursuing new creative goals. This year, she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy College of Performing Arts(AMDA), becoming the youngest graduate in the school's history.

Looking ahead, MEMF is entering an ambitious new chapter. In June during National Scoliosis Month, the foundation will host its next major fundraiser in California, bringing together supporters, families, and medical advocates to continue fueling awareness efforts. Over the next year, MEMF plans to expand its reach nationwide with the goal of supporting scoliosis organizations in every state. The foundation aims to donate $50,000 to scoliosis-focused groups in the 50 states, creating a coast-to-coast network of impact that directly supports youth and families navigating the condition. By scaling its model beyond California, MEMF seeks to ensure that no child facing scoliosis feels alone, regardless of where they live.

Connect with Marta Eliza Miller Foundation

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Connect with Marta Eliza Miller

Website | Instagram

About MEMF

The Marta Eliza Miller Foundation (MEMF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization created to support scoliosis awareness. The goal is to better educate and help youth with the mental and physical struggles of having scoliosis. The MEMF motto is to STAND TALL, BE STRONG and DREAM BIG.

About the Founder, Marta Eliza Miller

MEMF was founded in 2020 by Marta Eliza Miller and her mother Corrina. At the time, Marta was a 13-year old ice dancer and figure skater for US Figure Skating, and because her scoliosis curve had reached 48 degrees, they were unsure if she would be able to continue skating. Creating the foundation provided a sense of hope and comfort for Marta as she went through various tests, x-rays and MRI's at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Marta was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was 11; she also has a shorter left leg. Because she was athletic, Marta was fit with a velcro flexible brace that she wore for twenty hours a day, during both waking and sleeping hours. Marta worked tirelessly using yoga, acupuncture and various strengthening and stretching techniques to maintain her back strength and was able to continue skating. She's been monitored bi-annually as a patient of Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) since 2019. At age 12, Marta became a Junior Ambassador for CHLA because she wanted to give back to the community that was supportive of her scoliosis journey. Since 2019, Marta has raised over one million dollars for Scoliosis Awareness. In addition, MEMF has provided $475,000 to the Spine Center location in the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center for Scoliosis research and awareness, and recently helped fund CHLA's launch of the new Momentum app. In 2024, an orthopedic patient exam room was named for the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation. And in 2026, the casting room (where casts are put on), was named the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation Casting Room. This year, the foundation looks forward to expanding their reach nationwide.

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