This event sells out every year! Don’t Miss Out!
Secure your seats and join us for another
impactful evening in the fight against D.I.P.G.
Purchase your seats today by visiting
cristianriverafoundation.org/17th-annual-crf-celebrity-gala/
D.I.P.G. Warrior
Sofia Ayers
Sofia needs our love and support more than ever. At the start of August, she went back to CHOP due to worsening symptoms. Her daily nausea and neurological symptoms have been deeply worrying to her family.
While managing her symptoms has been difficult, she still chooses to find joy at her summer camp each day.
Her family has found comfort in her strong hugs, bravery, and determination. We all wish Sofia comfort and peace in this difficult time.
D.I.P.G. Warrior
Isabella Cashion
Good news! At the end of July, Izzy’s MRI came back stable. Send Izzy your love as she continues her treatment in search of stability and improvement.
On August 5th, she completed her 6th infusion and has been in good condition. After her treatment in California, she returned home awaiting her baby sister’s birth.
D.I.P.G. Warrior
Nicole Puglisi
Big congratulations to Nicole on becoming a licensed professional counselor! We are so proud of you! We love you 10!
Nicole recently released a book titled Beyond the Clouds. According to her, “This story highlights the challenges of navigating our differences and finding the beauty in them regardless. It portrays the exchange of encouragement within the D.I.P.G. community and the radiance that shines even in the toughest of moments.
New Board Member:
Edith Baillargeon
We are proud to welcome Edith Baillargeon as our newest Board Member. She will serve as a Board Supporter!
A Bronx native, Edith first worked as a teacher upon graduation from the College of New Rochelle in 1990. She decided to pursue Nursing after being very moved by a close friend’s experiences as an oncology nurse. Edith graduated from the accelerated Nursing program in 1993 from Columbia University in 1993. She has been working as a nurse for over 33 years; it has become her lifelong career. She has worked at various hospitals in the New York area. Edith spent nine years at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she has seen firsthand and assisted the work of many wonderful surgeons, including Dr. Soudweidane. She is currently a Registered Nurse in the Operating Room of Stamford Hospital, where she serves on several committees and is the Breast Surgery Service Line Lead.
AJ Calloway
Our Board Member AJ Calloway proudly served as host for the National Medical Association’s Gala!
At the Gala, AJ honored the extraordinary leadership of his lifelong friend, Rev. Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., as he concluded his tenure as the 126th President of the National Medical Association.
Kenan Thompson
We are so proud of our Board Member Kenan Thompson on all of his recent accomplishments!
Congratulations, Kenan, on SNL’s Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety Series!
Look out for the upcoming comedy-horror movie “Kenan and Kel Meet Frankenstein”! Starring and produced by Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell.
Kenan was cast in the new “Family Guy” spinoff “Stewie” as the voice of Royal, one of Stewie’s friends. “Stewie” premieres next year on Fox.
Kenan’s directorial debut can be seen in the new Mike and Ike ad campaign. He directs with seasoned comedy experience, elevating these ads to true hilarity.
Happy Birthday, John “Gungie” Rivera! Your leadership, vision, and unending generosity are the beating heart of CRF. You built this organization from the ground up and have propelled it into what it is today. You are a wellspring of love and joy. We are so grateful to know you and can’t wait to see what the future holds.
From all of us at CRF, we’re wishing you a very happy birthday! Your generosity and support make our mission possible, and we’re truly grateful for the dedication you show. Thank you for being such an important part of our journey.
We love you 10!
August 18th National Nonprofit Day! Our mission is inspired by Cristian and our D.I.P.G. angels who were taken from us far too soon. Help us save children and find a cure for this terminal illness. Join the fight; we need your help!
Learn more, donate, and get involved at cristanriverafoundation.org
Every donation makes a difference. Funding goes towards critical medical research and direct family support for those facing D.I.P.G.
This August, 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 August, 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. Although 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 August, 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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Our mailing address is:
Cristian Rivera Foundation · PO Box 656 · Edgewater, NJ 07020 · USA
Copyright (C) 2026 Cristian Rivera Foundation All rights reserved.