A memorial fund for Christina Yuna Lee has received an avalanche of support, ABC7 reports.
A GoFundMe page for the young woman who police say was killed in her New York Chinatown apartment February 12 by a man who followed her home was posted on Saturday by Angela Yujin Lee on behalf of the Lee family. Lee set a a goal of raising $100,000 for organizations that shared Christina Yuna Lee’s values. After an outpouring of community contributions, the fund rapidly surpassed its original goal in less than 24 hours. The family has set a new goal of $300,000, and the fund has already raised more than $210,000 as of Monday night.
On a post on the GoFundMe page, which is titled “Christina Yuna Lee Memorial Fund,” the Lee family condemned the “alarming pattern” of violence against Asian American women of color that had taken Christina’s life far too early. However, they also strove to honor Christina as the woman they loved—a bright and affectionate woman who fought strongly for causes she believed in.
“Christina was full of life. She radiated positivity, joy, and love,” Angela Yujin Lee wrote on behalf of her family. “Her loss is an unfathomable tragedy that her loved ones and her community will struggle with for years to come.”
She added: “Christina’s death has shaken us to our core. . . .Nothing will give her back to us. But with your help, we can make the 35 years she spent on Earth mean something for generations to come.”
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In order to honor Christina’s “legacy and values,” the family selected five organizations that reflected Christina’s passion. Two of these are green spaces where she found peace and rest. The family has earmarked $10,500 of the initial $100,000 for the Prospect Park Alliance, with the goal of planting a tree and installing a bench in Lee’s honor. They also devoted $17,900 to the Elizabeth Street Gardens, one of Christina’s favorite places in New York City.
The remaining $71,600 are being divided between three organizations: Womankind, a New York City-based organization that supports survivors of human trafficking and domestic and sexual violence; Planned Parenthood, where Christina had actively donated during her life as a “champion” for woman’s right to choose; and SafeWalks, which matches New Yorkers with companions to ensure safe travel throughout the city.
Comments posted on the GoFundMe page reflected the impact Christina had in the lives of numerous donors, including coworkers, family, friends, and supporters.
Kenneth Takanami Herman, who was Christina’s colleague at Splice, described her as a “beloved friend,” as he wished her family “healing and love.”
“There will be a Christina-sized absence in our hearts forever,” he wrote. “Honored to continue to fight for the causes she was passionate about. We’ll always fight for you Christina.”
Janelle Strange, who claims to have worked with Christina at TOMS, echoed those sentiments, describing her as “incredibly special—always smiling, being friendly, reaching out to help others.” At the end of her comment, she added: “She didn’t deserve this. No one does. My heart continues to ache at the thought of her being gone. We love you Christina, may your beautiful, kind soul rest in peace.”
Some contributors decried the tragic and senseless nature of the violence that took Christina’s life. “It has been a difficult week dealing with her senseless killing. I am exhausted and overwhelmed with the feeling of sadness, loss, and anxiety,” Jee Park wrote. “Rest in peace, Christina.” Commentator Rene Horn, meanwhile, called for action: “She was doing everything to fight against this kind of violence, but there’s obviously a lot more that needs to be done, and we’re far from done,” she wrote.
Other donors, who identified as Asian American women, wrote about how deeply personal Christina’s story was to them. Contributor Jennifer Lauv commented: “As an Asian-American woman, I think about her often. Rest in peace and power, Christina.”
Donor Sandy Mui echoed these sentiments as well.
“As an Asian woman, I see myself in Christina,” she wrote. “She seemed like a wonderful person who was full of life, and it is heartwarming to see that her memory will live on through the Christina Yuna Lee Memorial Fund.”
“I hope Christina’s family and friends find peace in the aftermath of such a senseless act of violence.”
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