Chris Herrera "916Chris" Memorial
Donation protected
Hi - my name is Cheryl Herrera McBride and I am the sister of Chris Herrera aka 916Chris.
As some of you may know my brother was in a terrible car accident Thursday April 16th 2015 which claimed his life.
I am not going to start my story from this tragic event. I am going to start from my brother's very first accident.
In 1995 my brother Chris Herrera ( aka 916Chris) was in a terrible car accident. He was 19 years old when he was a passenger in a car that crashed into a brick sound wall. Chris was in the hospital for 3 months and came close to dying 3 times while in there. It was what we thought was the fight of his life. His spine had been crushed through out the C and T - spine area leaving my brother quadriplegic.
At 19 years old one would think that your life was over, being young and active. This kid had a different outlook... he always looked forward and never looked back with any regrets. My brother never wanted you to feel sorry for him or think of him as disabled. He even did a news clip for Channel 10 right after his accident about spinal injuries ( you tube - Chris Herrera News Clip ) You can see in this video his optimistic outlook - this was how he was all the time.
My brother embraced life over the years - he became a very active quadriplegic. He went to college, became invloved in the community, had several pod cast about boxing and MMA fighting amongst the different social media outlets, he stayed connected with friends and family from all over the world.
Over the last few years he spent time with friends, family and his little niece Spencer. His following from his podcast grew as did his love for boxing and MMA. My family and I just realized how much he was respected within this community and the YTBC ( You Tube Channel ) for his shows.
That was my brother - he was a fighter and loved the sport it makes sense. He was alot like my mother Suzanne. During, Chris's first accident my mom quit her job, moved Chris in with her and became his full time caregiver. She has been taking care of my brother for 20 years and never asked for help or for a break. This is a huge reponsibility to take on for anyone but she never once regreted doing this. It takes a strong special person to do something like this. The hospital staff from his current accident described my brother's care as one of the best they have seen in over 22 years. This was in no way a surprise to our family as we have always known my mother to put my brother's needs first and foremost.
We would worry about my brother constantly when he would go out to watch the fights - driving in his whellchair to his favorite spot FLB in Folsom or to my Aunt's house. He would always tell us " don't worry lightening never strikes twice in the same place "
This time brother you were wrong - I wish you weren't ... On Thursday April 16th my brother was traveling in his wheelchair on the sidewalk in a strip mall in Folsom where he was hit by a Jeep Wrangler ..half a block from home. My brother was once again in the hospital.. up against the fight of his life.
His family and friends flocked to the hosiptal to give him suppport. Unfortunately, my brother had a maasive bleed early Friday morning April 17th causing him to have a massive stroke. We did not know the extent of the damage until a few hours later. Chris's brain pressure continued to grow until he passed Tuesday April 21st.
My family kept his body going on suppport because my brother wanted his organs donated if he were to ever pass. This was my brother's last act of generousity. He was so giving in life always there to listen, give advice, not to judge, help a stranger, friend or family member out, even give you a smile that was contagious. His giving just continues - he gave his liver and each of his kidneys to 3 lucky receipients and his heart valves go to a few children. We take comfort that my brother lives on.
I am asking for help with my brother's memorial and for my parents expenses. My parents are in no way rich or even middle class, my mother was my brother's care giver and was paid for taking care of him. So not only has she lost her son but her income as well. I would like for my parents to have time to grieve and to not have to worry about finances.
There are many who want to say good bye to my brother and my mom has shown my brother so much love, I would like to return the favor and show her how much we appreciated her
If you can help it would be greatly appreciated. ... any type of gesture would go to good use for my family.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story actually to listen to my beautiful brother's story.
As some of you may know my brother was in a terrible car accident Thursday April 16th 2015 which claimed his life.
I am not going to start my story from this tragic event. I am going to start from my brother's very first accident.
In 1995 my brother Chris Herrera ( aka 916Chris) was in a terrible car accident. He was 19 years old when he was a passenger in a car that crashed into a brick sound wall. Chris was in the hospital for 3 months and came close to dying 3 times while in there. It was what we thought was the fight of his life. His spine had been crushed through out the C and T - spine area leaving my brother quadriplegic.
At 19 years old one would think that your life was over, being young and active. This kid had a different outlook... he always looked forward and never looked back with any regrets. My brother never wanted you to feel sorry for him or think of him as disabled. He even did a news clip for Channel 10 right after his accident about spinal injuries ( you tube - Chris Herrera News Clip ) You can see in this video his optimistic outlook - this was how he was all the time.
My brother embraced life over the years - he became a very active quadriplegic. He went to college, became invloved in the community, had several pod cast about boxing and MMA fighting amongst the different social media outlets, he stayed connected with friends and family from all over the world.
Over the last few years he spent time with friends, family and his little niece Spencer. His following from his podcast grew as did his love for boxing and MMA. My family and I just realized how much he was respected within this community and the YTBC ( You Tube Channel ) for his shows.
That was my brother - he was a fighter and loved the sport it makes sense. He was alot like my mother Suzanne. During, Chris's first accident my mom quit her job, moved Chris in with her and became his full time caregiver. She has been taking care of my brother for 20 years and never asked for help or for a break. This is a huge reponsibility to take on for anyone but she never once regreted doing this. It takes a strong special person to do something like this. The hospital staff from his current accident described my brother's care as one of the best they have seen in over 22 years. This was in no way a surprise to our family as we have always known my mother to put my brother's needs first and foremost.
We would worry about my brother constantly when he would go out to watch the fights - driving in his whellchair to his favorite spot FLB in Folsom or to my Aunt's house. He would always tell us " don't worry lightening never strikes twice in the same place "
This time brother you were wrong - I wish you weren't ... On Thursday April 16th my brother was traveling in his wheelchair on the sidewalk in a strip mall in Folsom where he was hit by a Jeep Wrangler ..half a block from home. My brother was once again in the hospital.. up against the fight of his life.
His family and friends flocked to the hosiptal to give him suppport. Unfortunately, my brother had a maasive bleed early Friday morning April 17th causing him to have a massive stroke. We did not know the extent of the damage until a few hours later. Chris's brain pressure continued to grow until he passed Tuesday April 21st.
My family kept his body going on suppport because my brother wanted his organs donated if he were to ever pass. This was my brother's last act of generousity. He was so giving in life always there to listen, give advice, not to judge, help a stranger, friend or family member out, even give you a smile that was contagious. His giving just continues - he gave his liver and each of his kidneys to 3 lucky receipients and his heart valves go to a few children. We take comfort that my brother lives on.
I am asking for help with my brother's memorial and for my parents expenses. My parents are in no way rich or even middle class, my mother was my brother's care giver and was paid for taking care of him. So not only has she lost her son but her income as well. I would like for my parents to have time to grieve and to not have to worry about finances.
There are many who want to say good bye to my brother and my mom has shown my brother so much love, I would like to return the favor and show her how much we appreciated her
If you can help it would be greatly appreciated. ... any type of gesture would go to good use for my family.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story actually to listen to my beautiful brother's story.
Organizer
Cheryl Hererra
Organizer
Folsom, CA