Obituary of Christian Andrew Hernandez

Christian Andrew Hernandez, 17, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023, surrounded by his loving family and the love of everyone who knew him. 

Born in Coral Springs, Florida on May 5, 2005, the second child of Lazaro and Yansi Hernandez, Christian grew up in Ashburn, Virginia where he attended Mill Run Elementary, Discovery Elementary, Farmwell Station Middle School, and was currently a senior at Broad Run High School.  Christian studied and loved computer science, cybersecurity, playing video games, and building custom gaming computers. He was an avid gamer and enjoyed playing online with both his school and online friends. He was a New England Patriots fan and admired Tom Brady.

In May 2021, at the age of 16, Christian was diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. He spent almost 2 years undergoing intensive treatment and surgeries at Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital, Pediatric Specialist of Virginia Cancer and Blood Disorders, and Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Despite grueling inpatient treatments, Christian was determined to continue with the high school graduation requirements.   With the support from his teachers, he kept up with classwork as he was looking forward to graduating with the class of 2023.  Despite receiving the best medical treatment in the world -- including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, limb salvage surgery and local radiation -- the cancer was resistant to the chemo and to immunotherapy.

During his short life, Christian had a beautiful and meaningful impact on so many.  He left a legacy of love, kindness, nobility, strength, courage, and selflessness that will define his memory forever. Anyone who met Christian loved him. His smile, gentle nature, and easygoing attitude made him a kid you wanted to be around. His courage, strength, and resolve to fight cancer were admired by his family, friends, and numerous professionals who treated him during his two-year battle. He was an inspiration to many around him, with his determination to keep going despite the odds. Despite experiencing significant pain and discomfort, he was known for always saying “Let’s Do It,” encouraging his caretakers and parents to proceed with whatever had to be done.

Christian is survived by his parents Lazaro and Yansi Hernandez of Ashburn, VA; two siblings, Julianna and Daniel Hernandez of Ashburn, VA; grandparents, Florida and Alcides Cruz of West Palm Beach, FL; Joaquin Hernandez of Fort Lauderdale, FL; aunts and uncles, Leonela and Mark Woodall of Miami, FL; Lizbeth and Ramon Sam of Cary, NC; Kevin Cruz and Fakhteh "Faye"  Dastgheib of Washington, DC, and Joaquin Hernandez Jr. of Atlanta, GA.  He is also survived by cousins, Nataliah Sam of Orlando, FL; Caleb and Caitlyn Sam of Cary, NC; Carina and Isabela Hernandez of Atlanta, GA, and a very special cousin, Vida Cruz of Washington, DC, who at the age of 2 let him know through numerous FaceTime calls and in person how much she loved him.

The visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon Virginia. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 10:30 AM at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA.