In June 2020, Maria Kuenster was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma at the age of 22. She had recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors of Science in Health Science and was looking forward to a job opportunity in Chicago. Unfortunately, her life was turned upside down when she went in […]
Today marks twelve years since the passing of my son Cristian Alexander Rivera. Cristian is remembered for all of the love and joy that he brought to me and everyone he met. I reflect on some of these cherished memories today. Cristian’s legacy continues to live on through the Cristian Rivera Foundation as we work […]
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas do not have a cure. There are many doctors and researchers working to find the solution to this terrible disease. The tumor is inoperable due to its delicate location in the pons. This area controls vital functions such as breathing and heart rate. The growth pattern of this type of tumor […]
As we enter 2021, things are looking promising for the research side of DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma)! In particular, there have been discoveries at the University of Michigan using mice models that could lead to a new treatment. Researchers also received a large grant to fund their DIPG project in Switzerland and Norway. We […]
2020 has been a year full of surprises with a pandemic and the usual unexpected twists and turns of life. Check out the top music, google searches, pets, baby names and more below to review the crazy year we have had! Music has been a guiding light during the quarantine and social distancing of 2020. […]
The year 2020 gave us numerous reasons to push off our New Year’s resolutions. It started with the fires in Australia, then came the novel Coronavirus. COVID-19 put a halt on life as we knew it and put a strain on communities across the world. In particular, families struggling with DIPG have been negatively impacted, […]
The holidays are finally here! This season is a little different than it was in the past but that shouldn’t stop you from having a great time. There are so many safe and fun things to do this year so here are five ideas to get you started. 1. Making Ornaments This year has been […]
Thanksgiving to New Years marks such a busy time for most Americans. From end-of year work schedules to last minute Christmas shopping, it is easy to become distracted and stressed from all the running around. Although, this year looks a little different than most because it has allowed us to slow down and appreciate the […]
As Thanksgiving comes to a close, preparations for the holidays have finally begun. Christmas lights, present shopping, and holiday drinks are all right around the corner, but in the midst of all of the excitement we still have to remember that we are in a pandemic. So here are 5 ways to stay jolly and […]
In this day and age, many of us desire healthy relationships in order to stay happy, feel loved and balanced, so that we may better understand our purpose and overall value. Studies have shown that healthy relationships tend to increase our happiness, improve our overall health and reduce stress. These tips apply to all relationships […]
