Cristo Fernandez Visited El Paso NICU Families
The actor read his children's book to families at Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare during NICU Awareness Month.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Soccer
Actor Cristo Fernandez visited El Paso families at Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare on September 24, 2026. He read his children's book to NICU families to support the annual September read-a-thon.
Why it matters
The visit highlighted the importance of reading aloud to infants, which helps support brain development and reduce stress during their stay. It also honored NICU Awareness Month and recognized the global effort to encourage family bonding through literature.
Over 200 NICUs globally participate in the September read-a-thon program. Cristo Fernandez notably sustained a career-ending soccer injury at the age of 15.
The players
Cristo Fernandez
He is an actor and author who published the children's book titled Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol es vida!.
Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare
It is a healthcare provider in El Paso that hosted the NICU Awareness Month reading event.
The details
During the event at Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare, the actor read his book, Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol es vida!, to the families. Each participating family received a copy of the book to help foster bonding and support early development in the neonatal unit.
Timeline
The read-a-thon program took place throughout September 2026.
Cristo Fernandez visited the El Paso facility on September 24, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This event aligns with the broader institutional efforts surrounding the NICU Read-a-thon to standardize developmental care practices in neonatal units. It reinforces the shift toward integrating family-led bonding activities as a formal component of the recovery environment.
Families in the NICU can use reading as a proven strategy to mitigate the stress infants experience in high-acuity environments. Regular sessions of reading aloud remain a recommended practice for parents aiming to support long-term cognitive development during their child's recovery.
The takeaway
Reading aloud to infants provides measurable benefits for brain development and helps establish a calming routine for families in the NICU. Parents can implement this practice regardless of their child's age to strengthen the bond between infant and caregiver.
Further reading
Learn more about local sports and community engagement at /sports/soccer/.
