On September 22, 2025, our family’s world was turned upside down when my brother, Christopher “CJ” Hernandez Jr., was involved in a devastating car accident that nearly took his life. As a result of the accident, his entire small intestine became necrotic and had to be completely removed, along with most of his large intestine. CJ spent a month in a coma and did not wake up until mid-October, when he was finally told everything that had happened to him.

Since waking up, CJ has shown incredible strength and determination. One of his biggest victories was learning how to breathe on his own again after being on a ventilator, followed by the successful removal of his tracheotomy. He is currently undergoing intense physical therapy to relearn how to walk and regain strength and movement throughout his body. CJ is also undergoing dialysis three times a week, as his kidneys are still recovering from the trauma. He has endured multiple blood transfusions due to internal bleeding and several bleeding episodes through his surgical drains. One of the hardest challenges CJ faces is that he cannot eat or drink anything at all. He is 100% dependent on TPN (total parenteral nutrition), meaning all of his nutrition is delivered intravenously. Although he still feels hunger and thirst, he cannot take anything by mouth. A small bowel (intestinal) transplant is the only way he can survive long-term.

Anyone who knows CJ knows he is a good man, a devoted father, and a hard worker. He is an amazing dad to two beautiful daughters, with a baby boy on the way. He worked as a welder in the mining industry, a job he truly loved. He always took pride in providing for his family, giving to others, and creating unforgettable memories through travel and time spent together. Right now, CJ is unable to work and cannot provide for his family as he once did. This fundraiser is to help cover ongoing medical expenses, TPN and transplant-related care, anti-rejection medications, travel and lodging for transplant care, and living expenses for his family during this long recovery.

As of January 9, 2026, we received incredible news: CJ has been officially accepted as a transplant patient at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He will be transferred from Del Sol Medical Center to Georgetown to begin the intestinal transplant evaluation process. This journey has been unimaginably difficult, but God has been with our family every step of the way. He has strengthened us, carried us through the darkest days, and brought us closer together. We pray for CJ every single day and continue to trust in God’s plan.

If you are able to donate, share, or keep Chris "CJ" in your prayers, our family would be forever grateful. Every contribution — no matter the size — helps us move one step closer to giving CJ the chance to live, heal, and be the father his children need. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.