Cristian Rivera\u2019s journey and determination inspired his father, John \u201cGungie\u201d 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 (D.I.P.G.) 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 \u2013 Memorial Sloan (Kettering) Cancer Center, and Dr. Oren Becher of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children\u2019s Hospital and the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s trials and have presented no growth in their tumors. One of those children, Lisha Ayala, has lived free of D.I.P.G. for 13 years now, a testament to the impact of our hard work and dedication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Complementing Dr. Souweidane\u2019s amazing work is the enlightening research being performed at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children\u2019s 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 D.I.P.G. to better understand the function of genetic alterations in D.I.P.G. formation, specifically the genetic alterations that are most important to inhibit therapeutically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is research like this that gives us hope that a world without D.I.P.G. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result of our efforts, the Cristian Rivera Foundation has been awarded a Platinum Seal on GuideStar.org for the past 8 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 8th consecutive year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Help us continue this amazing work by participating in our\u00a09th\u00a0Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Full Steam Ahead 5K on Saturday,\u00a0June 13, 2026\u00a0at 9:30 a.m. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m<\/strong>. We thank you for your continued support and believe that with your help we can eradicate the world of D.I.P.G.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Cristian Rivera\u2019s journey and determination inspired his father, John \u201cGungie\u201d 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 (D.I.P.G.) through funding research, spreading awareness, and providing family support. The foundation funds the work of Dr. Mark Souweidane, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":134,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n