Cristian Rivera’s journey and determination inspired his father, John “Gungie” Rivera, to start the Cristian Rivera Foundation, a New York City-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, that is committed to finding a cure for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) through funding research, spreading awareness, and providing family support. The foundation funds the work of Dr. Mark Souweidane, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center – Memorial Sloan (Kettering) Cancer Center, and Dr. Oren Becher of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern.
In 2012, Dr. Mark Souweidane officially launched a pioneering clinical trial that would test the safety of a highly innovative approach using a small fiber to directly deliver drugs into the tumor. This clinical trial has given hope to a handful of children. Four children so far have participated in Dr. Souweidane’s trials and have presented no growth in their tumors. One of those children, Lisha Ayala, has now lived DIPG-free for 12 years, showing us that our work and dedication are paying off.
Complementing Dr. Souweidane’s amazing work is the enlightening research being performed at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern University lab of Dr. Oren Becher. The Cristian Rivera Foundation is proud to support Dr. Becher, helping him and his team develop genetic models of DIPG to better understand the function of genetic alterations in DIPG formation, specifically the genetic alterations that are most important to inhibit therapeutically.
It is research like this that gives us hope that a world without DIPG will soon become a reality. The Cristian Rivera Foundation has pledged its support to Dr. Souweidane and Dr. Becher as they execute their important research and clinical trials.
As a result of our efforts, the Cristian Rivera Foundation has been awarded a Platinum Seal on GuideStar.org for the past 7 years. GuideStar.org is the non-profit industry leader in analysis and public information and issues its rating based on transparency and positive activity conducted in the non-profit community. In addition, the Cristian Rivera Foundation has received the Top-Rated Great Nonprofits Award from Great Nonprofits for the 7th consecutive year.
Help us continue this amazing work by participating in our 8th Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Full Steam Ahead 5K on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. We thank you for your continued support and believe that with your help we can eradicate the world of DIPG.