Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Community Members,

I am reaching out to ask for your support for my sister, Ariana Cisneros.

Ariana is a devoted single mother to two beautiful little girls, Arely (6) and Laura (2), a loving daughter, sister, auntie and a dedicated public servant whose life was forever changed by ALS.

On August 25th 2023, while 33 weeks pregnant with her youngest daughter, Laura, Ariana received the devastating diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and terminal neurological disease that gradually robs a person of the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe.

At a time when she should have been preparing to welcome her newborn daughter into the world, Ariana was suddenly forced to face a future she never imagined. Yet through every challenge, she has remained focused on the two people she loves most, her daughters.

Before ALS changed the course of her life, Ariana dedicated nearly a decade of service to the Chino Valley Fire District. Beginning as a receptionist, she steadily advanced through a series of increasingly responsible positions, including Office Technician, Administrative Secretary to the Board of Directors, Fire Chief and to the Clerk of the Board, and ultimately Deputy Clerk of the Board.

Ariana committed deeply to professional growth and public service. She actively participated as a member of the City Clerks Association of California (CCAC) and the Association of Fire Service Specialists (AFSS), where she built lasting friendships and earned the respect of colleagues throughout California.

(AFSS 2018 Educational

Forum - Santa Cruz)

Her dedication to excellence led her to earn the nationally recognized Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation, complete the Technical Training for Clerks program, and receive her Professional Certificate in California Professional Municipal Clerks through the University of California, Riverside. These achievements reflected years of hard work, continuing education, and a genuine passion for serving the public.

As ALS progressed, Ariana fought to continue working for as long as possible. In November 2024, her disease had advanced to the point where she could no longer continue working and was forced to resign and then retire at age of 35 years old.

Today, Ariana relies on a power wheelchair and is fully dependent on assistance with all daily activities. She receives ongoing palliative care and faces the difficult realities that accompany this devastating disease.

ALS is a progressive and terminal disease with no cure. Although every case is unique, the average life expectancy after diagnosis is often only two to five years. This reality weighs heavily on our family, but especially on Ariana, whose greatest hope is to spend as much meaningful time as possible with Arely and Laura while creating memories they will carry with them forever.

Today, Ariana and her daughters live with our parents, who have become the foundation of their daily lives. Our father continues to work tirelessly to support the household, while our mother dedicates herself to caring for Ariana and helping raise Arely and Laura.

As ALS progresses, Ariana’s concern is not for herself—it is for her daughters.

Ariana’s deepest wish is to know that Arely and Laura will remain together, surrounded by the family who has loved and cared for them every day.

Funds raised will help support our parents and Ariana’s evolving needs and allow our family to focus on caring for her and her daughters. These needs may include:

• Legal expenses related to guardianship and legal proceedings

• Home modifications and accessibility improvements

• Transportation -wheelchair-accessible vehicle

• In-home caregiving services and support not covered by insurance

• Specialized equipment and services that improve Ariana’s quality of life

• Household and living expenses associated with full-time caregiving

• Future educational and living needs for Arely and Laura

• Opportunities to create meaningful experiences and lasting memories together

No amount of money can change Ariana’s diagnosis. But together, we can help provide stability, security, and peace of mind for a mother and her daughters.

Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS.

By sharing Ariana’s story, we hope to help educate others about ALS, support families navigating this devastating disease, and raise awareness about the communities that appear to face elevated risks—including firefighters, first responders, veterans, and others whose service and occupational exposures may contribute to ALS research and understanding.

Although Ariana is not a firefighter, first responder, or veteran herself, her diagnosis has opened our eyes to the broader impact of ALS and the urgent need for continued research, awareness, and support. If sharing her journey can help others feel less alone, encourage earlier recognition of symptoms, or inspire greater investment in finding treatments and a cure, then some good can come from an incredibly difficult situation.

Your kindness, generosity, and prayers mean more to our family than words can express. Every donation, every share, and every prayer helps us honor Ariana’s wishes, support our parents in their caregiving journey, and provide hope for two little girls who deserve every opportunity to grow up surrounded by love.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Vieana Cisneros

On behalf of the Cisneros Family