Friends of the Pala and Crownover family have come together to start this Go Fund Me in order to support Isabelle and Sasha Pala as they navigate the loss of their beloved father, Christopher Pala. He passed away recently, having fought a brave battle against two cancers over 9 years. Isabelle, age 19, is in her first year of college, and Sasha, age 17, is a junior in high school. They have been by their Dad's side through the years of cancer treatments, and have also worked hard to excel in their academics, athletics and community. Anyone who got to know Chris quickly learned that the girls were the loves of his life -- he could not have been more proud as they prepared for college.

The girls are also very proud of their Dad. Chris was a respected international journalist who reported on the environment, international politics, and stories no one else covered in places such as Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Russia, France, Hawaii, and the North Pole. He used writing as a tool for seeking truth and fairness and to support social causes. The girls' mom, Shannon Crownover, has worked for non-profits for 30 years, especially environmental causes, which is how she and Chris originally met.

Shannon now faces being the sole provider for the girls at this pivotal time in their lives. Chris was unable to work in recent years due to cancer and chemotherapy. Our goal is to collectively support Shannon and the girls to remove some of the financial stress of the girls’ current and future college education costs so that Isabelle and Sasha feel secure in their future and can focus on healing from this great loss. Chris was excited about the careers the girls would choose and would’ve wanted to help provide for their education.

We hope you will give generously to support this family as they find their way forward.

More details to come soon on a celebration of life to honor Chris, first in Washington, DC, on Nov. 19, and later where he grew up in Paris, France in mid-March 2024. Updates will be posted here. Thank you.