We to a certain degree expect to see death in the hospitals of the Longwood Medical Area, but not in the streets. That is why the senseless death of 18-year-old Crisitian Giambrone strikes an especially sensitive cord within us.

For those of you who have been desensitized to the violence in the news or who may have not realized the proximity of this violent act, young Cristian Giambrone was slain on February 16th, in front of the CVS on the corner of Longwood and Brookline. The perpetrator was attempting to shoplift some toiletries when Cristian and another CVS employee noticed the man stealing items, and approached him outside the store. The shoplifter pulled out a knife, critically stabbing one employee and fatally stabbing Cristian in the neck.

A young man’s story:
Anyone who frequently, or even sporadically, visited CVS would likely have seen Cristian’s charismatic smile. Cristian was often described as loving, happy, peaceful and welcoming - a “Citizen of the World.” Born to Brazilian immigrants, Cristian was a high school senior who worked at CVS for the past two years to save up money for college. Cristian hoped to enter the medical field and help others as an x-ray technician.

A call to care:
The first year students at HMS were particularly moved by the senseless death of a promising member of our community. Two days after the murder, an e-mail was sent out preparing for an upcoming collection for the family of Cristian Giambrone. The next day between pharmacology lectures, the story of Cristian Giambrone’s murder was restated and an envelope was passed around for those who wanted to make a donation. The response was inspiring and a testament to the fact that the HMS class of 2007 does care. On behalf of the Harvard Medical School Class of 2007 $510 was collected and donated to Cristian’s Memorial Fund.

Where do we go from here:
For those of you who would like more information or make a donation to the Cristian Memorial, visit the Cristian Memorial web-site at www.geocities.com/cristianmemorial. On the site there are many touching tributes to Christian that people have written. The Fenway CDC, a resident controlled organization dedicated to promoting the health and stability of the Fenway neighborhood, along with the friends and family of Cristian Giambrone, have begun an initiative to name the corner of Longwood and Brookline avenues in honor of Cristian Giambrone. The Fenway CDC announced that “In order to honor his bravery and inspire our fight, the segment of Longwood Avenue, between Brookline Avenue and Avenue Louis Pasteur deserves to be named Cristian’s Way.” More information about this program can be found on the Fenway CDC web-site.

Final thoughts - A message from Cristian’s mother, Taciana Ribeiro Saab, to the HMS community:
“We are deeply grateful for your donations and humbled in the realization of how many lives Cristian touched in his short 18 years. Thank you. We will be sending all donors an update on how the funds will be distributed once we know it. On behalf of our family, and in the memory of my son, Cristian Ribeiro Giambrone, please accept our sincerest gratitude.”