Bring My Brother Home

The Little Brother Fund

Dear Friends and Patriots,

My name is Marina, and I am reaching out to you today with a heavy heart, yet a glimmer of hope. I am fundraising in honor of my beloved baby brother, Cristiano, who dedicated his summer to Ukrainian humanitarian work. Tragically, he became severely wounded in the Kramatorsk Ria Pizza Restaurant missile strike. We are determined to continue his mission and help him find healing amidst the devastation he experienced.

(Disclaimer: Please note that the graphic images in the provided link may be distressing. This is cris laying on the ground after he had been pulled from the rubble: https://twitter.com/dortmundaberlin/status/1673903111306375169?s=46&t=Fex1WZ7cYAOB6k-9VqW41A

On that fateful day, June 10, 2023, Cristiano and I shared a bittersweet goodbye at grand central station in NYC. Little did I know that those last moments would become etched in my memory forever. As he descended on the escalator towards his next journey, I held my breath, silently praying for his safe return. But fate had a different plan.

Cristiano landed and had been serving in Ukraine. A few weeks later, a phone call shattered our world. It was from a concerned citizen in Ukraine, sharing the horrifying news. Cristiano was inside Ria Pizza shop in Kramatorsk when it fell victim to a Russian missile strike. The lifeless and bloodied images that circulated on Twitter confirmed the unspeakable truth: my baby brother had would be fighting for his life. Tragically, his American friend, who was inches away, succumbed to his injuries.

The days that followed were a nightmare, a relentless storm of grief and anguish. Cristiano, an American citizen and a proud former Marine, had selflessly volunteered his time to deliver essential medical supplies to those in need. Little did he know that the very people he sought to help would become his saviors. He has already undergone one of several head surgeries, and his injuries include a fractured skull and severe brain trauma.

Currently in his final year of pre-law studies at Hobart College, Cristiano aspires to attend Cornell Law School to continue serving humanity. It is our collective responsibility to support him in his recovery and ensure his dream remains within reach.

Your generous contribution to The Little Brother Fund will serve multiple crucial purposes:

1. Supporting Cristiano's Recovery: Every donation will go towards the extensive medical expenses required for Cristiano's return home to the United States and his ongoing rehabilitation. The path to healing will be long and challenging, but with your support, we can provide him with the care he desperately needs.

2. Shipping Containers of Hope: Cristiano's mission was to deliver medical supplies to Ukrainian hospitals in need. To honor his work, we aim to continue this vital work by shipping medical containers valued at $500,000 USD each, at a cost of $25,000 per container to ship overseas. Every donation dollars counts. When we hit certain increments of $25,000, it would effectively be like donating $500,000, as the supplies have already been generously donated. Let us come together and move these containers of hope to where they are desperately needed.

3. Sustaining Humanitarian Efforts: Cristiano deeply appreciated the selfless individuals who saved his life and cared for him during his time in the hospital. In his honor, we aim to continue supporting the dedicated volunteers working tirelessly on the ground in Ukraine. Your donation will directly contribute to sustaining these crucial humanitarian efforts.

Every dollar you give makes an immense difference. No contribution is too small. Your support not only helps to aid Cris in his recovery journey but also extends a lifeline to those who will benefit from Cristiano's mission.

Together, let us turn the excruciating pain of my baby brother into a beacon of hope and resilience. Let us ensure that Cristiano's mission of compassion and service continues to touch countless lives.

Thank you for your kindness, love, and unwavering support ♥️

for transparency with the public. There is also a fund at a different site because gofundme had flagged this for 4 days at first: https://www.spotfund.com/story/449585be-f3c3-4815-a310-2de1c87b2fb3