En memoria de Ismael Samano

Aim

Help Ismael Samano’s family with funeral and memorial expenses while honoring the life, love, and community he shared.

This afternoon, on July 30, 2026, Ismael Samano lost his year-long fight to lymphoma. 

To his friends, he was Sami, to his athletes, he was Coach, and to his family, he was Isma and Ish. He was only 38 years old, two weeks short from turning 39.

It is hard to know how to write about someone who meant so many different things to so many people. Ismael was a son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin, an uncle, a friend, a coach, a father figure, and the person who always found a reason to bring everyone together.

He was the baby of his siblings -- deeply loved by his mother, Hermelinda, and by his brothers and sister: Juan, Enrique, Victor, Patty, and Jorge. He was a central part of his family, the one at the heart of their trips, vacations, gatherings, and all the moments that kept everyone connected.

Ismael was the life of the party. He would show up with his boombox, put on the perfect playlist, and fill the room with our favorite music. He was a great dancer and had a light energy that all of us were naturally drawn to. Everyone knew him, and somehow he always made room for everyone.

Ismael was an extrovert -- always making plans, checking in, inviting someone along, or finding a reason for everyone to meet up. He was the person you could count on. He showed up when you needed him and made you feel included, cared for, and remembered.

Running was one of the biggest parts of his life, but for Ismael it was about more than winning or being the fastest. It was about showing up, having fun, and making memories.

And his students were not just athletes to him. They were his kids.

He picked them up when they needed a ride. He brought them food when they were hungry. He looked after them outside of practice and made sure they always knew they had someone in their corner. He was not just their coach, but a father figure, a protector, and a stable presence in their lives. He loved those kids, and they loved him back.

In his final hours, they never left his side. Ismael was surrounded by his family, his friends, and the young people he had cared for as his own. He was surrounded by love.

With the help of his family, we are creating this fundraiser to help them with funeral and memorial expenses, as well as any other immediate needs that come with losing someone far too young.

We do not want his family to have to carry the full financial weight of laying him to rest while they are processing the loss of their son, brother, and loved one.

Any amount will help. And if you cannot donate, please share this page with someone who knew Ismael, ran with him, was coached by him, danced with him, traveled with him, or was simply lucky enough to call him a friend.

Ismael spent his life showing up for people. Now it is our turn to show up for him, for his mom, for his siblings, and for the family and friends he leaves behind.

We love you Sami.. Isma.. Ish.

We will miss your music, your dancing, your plans, your energy, and your laughter. You were deeply loved, and you will never be forgotten.

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Esta tarde, el 30 de julio de 2026, Ismael Samano perdió su batalla de un año contra el linfoma.

Para sus amigos, era Sami, para sus atletas, era Coach, y para su familia, era Isma o Ish. Tenía solo 38 años, a dos semanas de cumplir 39.

Es difícil saber cómo escribir sobre alguien que significó tantas cosas distintas para tantas personas. Ismael fue hijo, hermano, sobrino, primo, tío, amigo, entrenador, figura paterna, y la persona que siempre encontraba una razón para reunir a todos.

Era el menor de sus hermanos -- profundamente amado por su madre, Hermelinda, y por sus hermanos y hermana: Juan, Enrique, Víctor, Patty y Jorge. Era una parte central de su familia, el corazón de sus viajes, vacaciones, reuniones, y de todos los momentos que mantenían a todos conectados.

Ismael era el alma de la fiesta. Llegaba con su equipo de música, ponía la playlist perfecta, y llenaba el ambiente con nuestra música favorita. Era un excelente bailarín y tenía una energía luminosa que atraía a todos de manera natural. Todos lo conocían, y de alguna manera siempre encontraba espacio para todos.

Ismael era extrovertido -- siempre haciendo planes, preguntando cómo estabas, invitando a alguien, o buscando una razón para que todos se reunieran. Era la persona con la que siempre podías contar. Aparecía cuando lo necesitabas y te hacía sentir incluido, cuidado y recordado.

Correr era una de las partes más importantes de su vida, pero para Ismael se trataba de algo más que ganar o ser el más rápido. Se trataba de estar presente, divertirse, y crear recuerdos.

Y sus estudiantes no eran solo atletas para él. Eran como sus hijos.

Los recogía cuando necesitaban que los llevaran a correr. Les llevaba comida cuando tenían hambre. Los cuidaba fuera de las prácticas y se aseguraba de que supieran que siempre tenían a alguien de su lado. No era solo su entrenador, sino una figura paterna, un protector, y una presencia estable en sus vidas. Él amaba a esos chicos, y ellos lo amaban a él.

En sus últimas horas, nunca se apartaron de su lado. Ismael estuvo rodeado de su familia, sus amigos, y los jóvenes a quienes había cuidado como si fueran suyos. Estuvo rodeado de amor.

Con la ayuda de su familia, estamos creando esta recaudación de fondos para ayudarlos con los gastos funerarios y conmemorativos, así como cualquier otra necesidad inmediata que surja al perder a alguien tan joven.

No queremos que sus familiares tengan que cargar solos con estos gastos mientras viven el dolor de perder a un hijo, un hermano y un ser querido.

Cualquier cantidad ayuda. Y si no puede donar, por favor comparta esta página con alguien que conoció a Ismael, que corrió con él, fue entrenado por él, bailó con él, viajó con él, o que simplemente tuvo la suerte de llamarlo amigo.

Ismael pasó su vida estando ahí para los demás. Ahora nos toca a nosotros estar ahí para él, para su mamá, para sus hermanos, y para la familia y amigos que deja atrás.

Te amamos Sami... Isma... Ish.

Vamos a extrañar tu música, tu baile, tus planes, tu energía, y tu risa. Fuiste profundamente amado, y nunca serás olvidado.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 23rd October 2026 at 9:42am CDT