“Spring will come, and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer.”
—– Anita Krizzan
9th Cristian Rivera Foundation Full Steam Ahead 5k
REGISTER NOW AND HELP US SAVE LIVES!
Mark your calendars and join the movement—run, walk, or donate. Every step and contribution helps drive the fight forward toward a cure for D.I.P.G. This incredible event brings together participants of all ages, both in person and virtually, to support our mission while enjoying a day of fun, fitness, and community.
Register today at cristianriverafoundation.org/
or support by donating at cristianriverafoundation.org/
Our 17th Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Celebrity Gala
DISCOUNTED SEATS ARE $1,250 ON SALE UNTIL SUN, May 24th (Regular price $1,500 after)
This event sells out every year! Secure your seats at an amazing price and join us for another impactful evening in the fight against D.I.P.G.
Purchase your seats today by visiting cristianriverafoundation.org/
Our 10th Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Flashback Boat Ride is coming up!
DON’T MISS IT!
DISCOUNTED TICKETS ARE $60 NOW UNTIL MON, MAY 11th, AND $75 AFTER.
Purchase your tickets today to be part of this incredible evening and support the fight against D.I.P.G.
Purchase your tickets today by visiting
cristianriverafoundation.org/
D.I.P.G. Warrior
Nicolle Cueva Meza
Nicolle is one of the newest D.I.P.G. Warriors, who came to us just 2 weeks ago. She is a bright and courageous 7-year-old girl who was recently diagnosed with D.I.P.G. on March 10, 2026.
This devastating news has brought many unexpected challenges to her family and those who love her. Despite this, Nicolle is showing incredible strength and resilience as she begins her journey ahead.
Our Medical Partner, Dr. Souweidane, will reach out to her oncologists at Stony Brook to gather more information about her case and explore how CRF can potentially help her and her family moving forward.
Dr. Nirav Patel
This month, our Spotlight series highlights Board Supporter Dr. Nirav Patel. During his interview, Dr. Patel spoke about his incredible career as a vascular surgeon and stressed his dedication to treating all his patients like family. He also highlighted his commitment to spreading awareness of D.I.P.G. and supporting those affected.
The story of Dr. Nirav Patel is one based on perseverance and determination. He grew up in Queens and was always surrounded by strong role models who shaped his path. He remembers seeing how hard his father, also a physician, worked to create a better life not only for him and his sister, but also for all his patients. He felt that he understood medicine before he even entered the field. He attended high school in Long Island before starting medical school, where he would spend 11 years studying, describing the dedication required to succeed as one of the most defining experiences of his life. He said, “The more you believe in yourself… [the more] you can move mountains”. Picking up the reins from his father, medicine became more than a career; it was a family legacy.
Dr. Patel has built an incredible career in the medical field, practicing as a vascular surgeon for over 25 years. He currently serves as the Director of Vascular Surgery at Essen Health Care, where he oversees ultrasound technicians and performs a wide range of complex vascular procedures, including both medical and cosmetic vein treatments. Telling his patients, “I take care of all your circulation outside of your heart”. His work involves addressing critical and life-improving conditions through in-office procedures, which he performs himself.
Edgar Berlanga Jr.
SIGNED WITH DANA WHITE’S ZUFFA BOXING
Board Member and Professional Boxer Edgar Berlanga Jr. has shown continuous commitment to supporting children and families in their journey with D.I.P.G. through CRF. A highlight of Edgar’s support flashes back to 2022 at Madison Square Garden when he invited CRF Warrior Jesslyn Silva into the ring alongside him. In that moment, Berlanga honored her strength and courage in front of a global audience.
Due to his dedication to service, leadership, and compassion, Edgar Berlanga received the Service and Dedication Award at the 16th Annual Celebrity Gala. Celebrating not just an athlete, but an advocate for change and hope.
We Find Hope In…
OUR WARRIORS
Their courage, resiliency, and positivity inspire hope.
Hope Is Our Driving Force.
Hope is a powerful motivator that reminds us that a brighter future awaits. This hope drives us to make this future a reality. Our warriors, angels, and supporters fuel our hope and inspire us to fight harder.
Join us in holding hope for the future, a cure, and for our warriors. If we work together, there is no limit to what we can achieve. United in hope, we will find a cure for D.I.P.G.
This April, we remember and honor the birthdays of these beloved angels. These angels are the brave children who faced D.I.P.G. with extraordinary strength and grace. Though they are no longer with us, their spirit lives on and continues to guide everything we do at the Cristian Rivera Foundation.
To the families who carry their memory every day, please know you are not alone. Your children will never be forgotten.
By sharing their stories, we celebrate their lives and shine a light on the urgent need for a cure. Every step we take is in their honor and in pursuit of a future where no family has to endure this kind of loss.
This April, we honor the Angelversaries of these brave children. We remember the incredible angels who faced D.I.P.G. with unmatched strength, light, and love. Though they’re no longer with us, their spirits continue to push us forward and inspire every step we take.
To the families who carry their memory every day, we stand with you. Your children remind us why we fight and why we refuse to stop.
By keeping their legacy alive, we raise awareness and push harder for a cure so that no other family has to endure this kind of loss again.
Before and after Cristian’s D.I.P.G. diagnosis, drawing and coloring were his favorite ways to express himself. Remarkably, even before his tumor was discovered, Cristian was creating artwork that reflected what would later be found in his brain.
This April, we celebrate Cristian’s extraordinary creativity with a special tribute. We invite you to download and enjoy these coloring pages in his honor, a touching reminder of the joy, imagination, and strength he shared with the world.
Please Take A Few Minutes To Watch
CRF’s Work/Mission 2025/26 Video Below
Sincerely,
Cristian Rivera Foundation
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2018, 19, 20, |