Marisa “Ris” was one of the kindest, strongest, and most selfless people many of us will ever know. She lived every day fighting the relentless reality of Type 1 Diabetes — the constant glucose monitoring, insulin management, carb counting, exhaustion, and stress that most people never fully see or understand. Even through her own struggles, Ris showed up for others with compassion, humor, patience, and love. She had a way of making people feel safe, cared for, and understood. She was deeply loved by her family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Over the past several weeks, Ris fought an incredibly difficult battle in the hospital against severe complications, including infections, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and multiple organ complications related to her condition. She fought harder than anyone could imagine. Despite moments of hope and progress, her body could no longer continue the fight.
This fundraiser is being created to help relieve the overwhelming financial burden left behind after months of intensive medical care and hospitalization. Bills are still continuing to arrive, and the expenses have grown significantly — not including all remaining hospital and specialist charges still pending. Funds raised will help support:
* Medical expenses and remaining hospital-related costs
* Memorial and celebration-of-life expenses
* Transportation, caregiving, and emergency-related expenses during her hospitalization
* Continuing Ris’s mission of bringing awareness, compassion, and support to those living with Type 1 Diabetes
In honor of Ris, we also hope to continue building something meaningful from her story — a project focused on helping Type 1 Diabetics and their caregivers reduce the exhausting daily mental load of meal planning, grocery shopping, carb counting, and glucose management through compassionate, easy-to-use tools built from lived experience.
Ris was more than her illness. She was light, resilience, laughter, and unconditional love. Her story has already inspired important conversations about diabetes awareness, caregiver support, and the emotional toll chronic illness places on individuals and families.
Whether you are able to donate, share this fundraiser, or simply keep Ris and her loved ones in your thoughts, it truly means more than words can express. Thank you for helping us honor Ris, her strength, and the lasting impact she had on so many lives.
Over the past several weeks, Ris fought an incredibly difficult battle in the hospital against severe complications, including infections, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and multiple organ complications related to her condition. She fought harder than anyone could imagine. Despite moments of hope and progress, her body could no longer continue the fight.
This fundraiser is being created to help relieve the overwhelming financial burden left behind after months of intensive medical care and hospitalization. Bills are still continuing to arrive, and the expenses have grown significantly — not including all remaining hospital and specialist charges still pending. Funds raised will help support:
* Medical expenses and remaining hospital-related costs
* Memorial and celebration-of-life expenses
* Transportation, caregiving, and emergency-related expenses during her hospitalization
* Continuing Ris’s mission of bringing awareness, compassion, and support to those living with Type 1 Diabetes
In honor of Ris, we also hope to continue building something meaningful from her story — a project focused on helping Type 1 Diabetics and their caregivers reduce the exhausting daily mental load of meal planning, grocery shopping, carb counting, and glucose management through compassionate, easy-to-use tools built from lived experience.
Ris was more than her illness. She was light, resilience, laughter, and unconditional love. Her story has already inspired important conversations about diabetes awareness, caregiver support, and the emotional toll chronic illness places on individuals and families.
Whether you are able to donate, share this fundraiser, or simply keep Ris and her loved ones in your thoughts, it truly means more than words can express. Thank you for helping us honor Ris, her strength, and the lasting impact she had on so many lives.