Cristian Rivera Foundation 2018
January Newsletter
2017 was a milestone year for the Cristian Rivera Foundation.
Our 2017 events included the 2nd Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Freestyle Flashback Benefit Boat ride. Committee Members, Steve Rodas and Jesse Allison hosted their own cocktail events to support our efforts in curing DIPG. NBC’s Today in New York co-anchor and Cristian Rivera Board member, Darlene Rodriguez and her husband, David, hosted their 3rd Annual Cocktail Party. 2017 also brought us the Ninth Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Celebrity Gala at the luxurious Capitale in New York City.
These events and the continued support from our sponsors and people like you, have brought us to a monumental milestone in the DIPG and medical community. As of 2017, the Cristian Rivera has donated over One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) to help support research and clinical trials for DIPG and families who have been affected by this disease!Your generosity and support has brought us closer than ever to a cure for DIPG!
We would like to thank everyone who has supported our foundation by attending, sponsoring, and donating to these events. Also, a big thank you to all our Board of Directors, Committee Members, Committee Friends for their continuous support. Lastly, a special thank you to Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Oren Becher for working tirelessly towards finding a cure for DIPG. Without any of you, none of these accomplishments would have been possible.
One of our clinical trial patients, Lisha Ayala, has reached a groundbreaking milestone by reaching a five-year mark with no growth in her tumor. She is living the life of a normal teenager and has given the DIPG and medical community hope that we are close to a cure.
Even though we’ve started 2018 on a great note, January is always a sad month for The Cristian Rivera Foundation. First, Cristian was Diagnosed with DIPG on January 21st, 2007 and lost his Battle to DIPG just two short years later on, January 25th, 2009. Cristian would have been 15 years old had he’d been alive today. In honor of Cristian, our foundation will continue working the “Full Steam Ahead” mentality until we eradicate this disease from our world and no family has to suffer through the process of dealing with a child with DIPG.
You can be a part of the journey of finding a cure for DIPG, and make 2018 the year we say goodbye to this horrible disease.
Simply stay connected with us. Join us at our events, share our journey with your friends and family and make a donation to our efforts.
Speaking of great supporters and being part of our journey, The Cristian Rivera Foundation highlighted Member of the Month is Committee Member, Jesse Allison. Using her experience and resources, Jesse has been an incredible addition to our team and made valuable contributions to our goals through her hard work and dedication.
Who is Jesse Allison?
I am a 34-year-old working mother and wife. I have a three-year-old daughter named Addison and a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. After spending many years planning events in the hospitality industry, I left to develop a family business of high end flooring. By making this move, my schedule became more flexible. Having a flexible schedule is important to me because I get to spend more time with my family. Probably my greatest passion after spending time with my family is cooking.
What does it mean to you to be a part of the Cristian Rivera Foundation?
Being a part of the foundation is more rewarding than I could’ve hoped. I’ve known John since I moved to Hoboken and as the mother of a small child, I cannot begin to fathom what hearing that my daughter had DIPG would be like. I think what Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Oren Becher do is amazing work and I know that the more support we can generate for the doctors, the closer we are to that cure.
What is your proudest moment as a Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member?
My proudest moment was at the small cocktail reception we hosted at our showroom Wood Library in Hoboken. I was happy seeing the responses to the information we were presenting. Throughout the reception, the attendees really started to understand a little about this horrible disease which led them to wanting to help. By throwing this event, I was able to raise awareness of DIPG and help the many families affected by this disease.
All donations to the Cristian Rivera Foundation are tax deductible and money raised by the Cristian Rivera Foundation goes to the suffering families, doctors and hospitals working tirelessly towards finding a find for the deadly pediatric brain tumor known as DIPG.
To give a donation, please visit http://cristianriverafoundation.org/donation.html
All donations are appreciated and go a long way. Please be sure to follow us on Twitter @TweetCRF, Instagram @cristianriverafoundationand like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/crisitanriverafoundationto stay up to date on the latest news and all of our exciting new upcoming events for 2018!
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