Changing the narrative on international Childhood Cancer awareness day

After what has been his worst nightmare, tragically losing his son to brain cancer, one that no parent ever wants to face, Dimas eventually found inspiration from this tragedy - and for one very emotional reason.

Although this had profoundly impacted Dimas negatively, he gathered extreme determination and strength and created Dimas Life. It is a nonprofit organization that champions the fight against childhood cancer and comfort all of those affected by it.

Looking back, young Dimas was a true warrior. He courageously battled brain cancer, which gave Dimas all the more reasons to keep going. He created the foundation to keep his son’s memory alive. Young Dimas has since become a shining symbol of hope, empathy, adoration, strength, and love for his family and the entire community.

Dimas admits that he dreaded every single day that Young Dimas is no longer around. But the one thing that kept him going is the reality that in one way or another, he can share his experience, help other struggling parents, coach kids, and be there for anyone who needed a shoulder to lean on.

Before all these, Cintron had a few extra roles in HBO’s Ballers as an extra, but since his son’s passing, his whole world stopped, and he dedicated his focus on this foundation in memory of his son.

More than 250,000 to 300,000 children and adolescents between the ages of 0 to 18 years are diagnosed with childhood cancer. And Dimas wanted to honor the courage and bravery of children with cancer and their families.

It all began when he wrote a letter to a family who lost their child just like he did. He realized how sharing the same experience and reminding them that they are not alone makes a lot of difference in the lives of so many parents and families who are grieving.

He also had an experience of a man coming up to him who told him he was inspired by the situation and patched things up with the mother of his child to be around his child more. Because of Dimas, the gentleman realized that life was too short. And he told Dimas this during his son’s funeral, where over 400 people came to a small place in Poinciana with no parking. This deeply touched and inspired Dimas, and he realized he could touch other people’s lives as well.

Today, Dimas Life is for those who needed someone to talk and share his experience. Not only that, but Dimas also goes out of his way to send families a little package to raise awareness. This package includes wristbands, bags, and a letter of encouragement. At times, he even gives more than just packages depending on what the family needs most. He and his foundation are lucky to be able to distribute all these things in one day.

Dimas Life offers targeted support and ongoing encouragement to children affected by cancer and their families. This is done through simple acts of kindness, sharing Dimas Armani’s story, and providing steadfast love and comfort. They hand out medals, make themselves available to listen, and offer insights from their own experience down a similar road.

Feb. 15, 2016 was the date Dimas’ son died, but on Feb. 15, 2020, he changed the narrative of this day and took a group of kids and a small school who never competed in a conference to a championship conference game.

As a small organization, their current capacity allows them to focus on ten children per year in Florida. Dimas hopes to, one day, serving 100 children and their families.

Out of this journey, Cintron even made a song. One of his newest singles, Get Up, speaks from the heart and provides a message of great positivity and perseverance. He made this song to inspire others in different ways.

Dimas believes that his son will not die in vain, and his legacy will save thousands of lives.