December 2025 Newsletter

“What good is the warmth of summer, without

the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”

— John Steinbeck

Happy Holidays from the Cristian Rivera Foundation!

Your compassion and commitment help bring hope, strength, and progress to the warriors and families affected by D.I.P.G.

As we celebrate the holidays, we honor the memory of those we’ve lost and continue to stand together with hope, determination, and a shared commitment to finding a cure. May your holidays be filled with love, peace, and joy.

Cristian Rivera Foundation Raffle Project 2026

Support an incredible cause by purchasing raffle tickets to help fund vital research for D.I.P.G. warriors—while also getting a chance to win some great prizes. To purchase or sell tickets, visit cristianriverafoundation.org/annual-raffle-project/

As we approach the Holidays, we are reaching out with a heartfelt request. D.I.P.G. Warriors don’t have time on their side. D.I.P.G. is aggressive and relentless, and funding for them is lacking.

Colonel Marisol A. Chalas

This month, we had the opportunity to interview Board Supporter
Col. Marisol A. Chalas for our Spotlight series. Through this conversation, we highlight who she is, the role she plays, and the meaningful work she does. Her insights and experiences offer a closer look at the leadership and dedication that help move our organization forward.

Col. Marisol A. Chalas, CRF Board Member, was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Massachusetts from the age of nine years old. Growing up, she witnessed her immigrant family’s unrelenting work to rebuild their lives in the United States. Those formative years taught her that “nothing is given, and everything is earned.” Her parents’ incredible perseverance shaped her into a successful leader who is resilient, grateful, and committed to giving back to the country that welcomed her.

Chalas’s appreciation for her country led her to pursue the highest call of duty–the military, and, ultimately, aviation. She chose aviation in particular because it is a field where she rarely saw people with her background. Driven by the desire to honor her country and break barriers, she became the first Latina Black Hawk pilot in the Army National Guard. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7 for the Army Reserve Aviation Command. She spends her days ensuring that forces are “ready for any deployment,” or in other words, trained and capable of handling any issue of national security that may arise.

Follow Here to Read More

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!

Our 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.

This December, we remember and honor the birthdays and Angelversaries of these beloved children. 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.

December is a time to remember the incredible angels who faced D.I.P.G. with unmatched strength, light, and love. Though they’re no longer with us, their spirits continue to push us forward and inspire every step we take.

This month, we honor the Angelversaries of these brave children. 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 December, 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