Happy Thanksgiving from CRF – November 2021 Newsletter

November 16, 2021

The 12th Annual CRF Celebrity Gala has arrived. It has been a long time of preparation and planning, but we are excited to spend this evening surrounded by amazing guests, families, and Board Members. Our Gala is going to be a night to remember. Together we will celebrate love and a fight against DIPG.

Our last tickets are available for purchase at
cristianriverafoundation.org/12th-annual-gala/tickets/
Our confirmed celebrity guests so far are Kenan Thompson, Russell Peters, AJ Calloway, Gio Urshela, Doc Gooden, Crazy Legs, Fredro Starr, Renoly Santiago, and more to come!

Recently, CRF Board Member, Dr. Mark Souweidane has published regarding DIPG research. This research may greatly impact how and where curitive medicine will be given to DIPG patients. The Cristian Rivera Foundation was accredited with funding the research of Dr. Souweidane and his team. We cannot be more thankful for his work and dedication to finding a cure. If you would like to read the article for yourself click here.

The CRF team gave some answers as to what they were thankful for this year! Let us know what you are grateful for this year!

Sarde:
"I am thankful for good health, loving family and friends, and beautiful fall weather"

Emma:
"I am exceedingly grateful for my health and my family. I am thankful for the many blessings I have been given so far".

Bryan:
"I’m thankful for the people I still have in my life and who give me the motivation to keep pushing onward"

Zach:
"I’m very thankful for my families’ health, plus new friends and new opportunities"

Here at CRF, we thank you for staying up-to-date on all new information regarding our foundation. Our largest fundraising event each year is just a few days away and we sincerely appreciate all the support from sponsors, families, volunteers, and followers. The fight against DIPG will be won if we stick together as a unit. We have more exciting things coming with the new year. Stay tuned on all our social media pages.

Thank you from the CRF Team.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Full Steam Ahead

Our Mission

The mission of the Cristian Rivera Foundation is to help find the cure for
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG),
an inoperable and incurable brain stem tumor.

What is DIPG
(Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma)?

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG, is a Rare, Inoperable Brain Stem Tumor that predominantly affects children between the ages of 2 and 10. Only 200-300 cases are discovered in the United States each year and because there is no cure, it’s young victims only have an average of 3-18 months to live, after they’ve been diagnosed. There are NO SURVIVORS.

Who is
The Cristian Rivera Foundation?

The Cristian Rivera Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that works tirelessly, in order to raise awareness and funds to one day put a STOP to this disease. The Cristian Rivera Foundation funds the work of Dr. Mark Souweidane of Weill Cornell Medical Center – Memorial Sloane (Kettering) Cancer Center and Dr. Oren Becher of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Lurie Cancer center at Northwestern University. Both Doctors are conducting promising research and trials that have shown promising results. We are CLOSE to a CURE!

How Can You Help:

Help us by making a Donation.
Every Donation Big or Small, will help us achieve our goal.
Help spread the word to your family, friends and Colleagues.

Thank You again and may this be the year we say goodbye to DIPG,
(Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma),
FOREVER!

PLEASE DONATE

Sincerely,
Cristian Rivera Foundation

Founder:
John “Gungie” Rivera
"Forever Cristian’s Daddy"

Board of Directors:
Carlos Yepez and Darlene Rodriguez.

Committee Members:
Aldo Marin, Carlos Colon, Fernando Ferrer,
Francesco Quattrone, Jarrad Seuferling,
Kenan Thompson, Luis Guzman,
Meiling Macias Toro, Melinda Colon Cox,
Paul Pristavec, Rafael Toro, Rena Kliot,
and Steve Cox.

Supporters:
David Rodriguez, Edward Caban,
Michael V. Narvaez, and Vito Bruno.

Chairman of the Board:
Andy Epstein

Director:
Sarde Laurente

Committee Friends:
Alberto Torres, Alex Garcia,
Maggie Meehan, Mark Rosner,
and Vanessa Rodriguez

Honorary Committee Members:
The Late Anthony Mason
and The Late Miriam Colon.