Everyone at the Cristian Rivera Foundation would like to express our condolences to the family of Valentina Bravin, a beautiful 5-year-old girl who earned her wings this past Thursday, July 12th after battling DIPG for almost 1 year. From the moment of her diagnosis, her parents Eric and Christina never gave up hope, and with the help of Valentina’s grandfather, they started the Friends of Valentina foundation to raise money for medical expenses. Friends of Valentina was able to hold a few fundraisers on Valentina’s behalf last fall, raising thousands of dollars to greatly ease the family’s financial burden. Valentina was a student at St. Luke’s nursery school in Farmingdale, NY, and was an avid lover of ballet, ice skating, and Barbie dolls. Known to the world for being a fighter, Valentina brought hope to lots of people, including John “Gungie” Rivera, the founder of the Cristian Rivera Foundation, who featured Valentina as a Child With Hope at the 3rd Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Gala last September. Rest in Peace, Valentina. We will never forget your beautiful spirit.
