This past Sunday, May 29, was the Prestige Productions Reunion at Latin Quarter. The event was a big success. We had such a strong turnout and the club got crowded really early into the night. It was great to see so many of my old staff members and customers come out to support the Cristian Rivera Foundation. Committee Members Stephanie Carrera and Steve Cox, who celebrated his birthday that night, were there. So was my son JC and some of the DIPG parents I’ve met and who have made a big impact on my life since starting the Foundation. Javier “Buji” Villamil’s mom Rosemary and aunt, Committee Member Fulvia Lora, were there and so were Alexander Jonathan Montes’ parents, Nereida Perez and Robinson Montes. My friends and Committee Members Tedsmooth, DJ Wreck and DJ Lucho put on a great show, along with DJ Michael Kuilan, DJ Elmer G and legendary freestyle singer Coro.

But of course it’s hard to forget that DIPG is a disease that also brings a lot of pain to the children who have it and the family and friends who love them. Days after the excitement of our event, I received a call from Jordan Malave’s mom, Leeana Castro, that brought us back down to Earth. Jordan went for an MRI and in just two months his tumor has gotten bigger and developed a lesion. I am so saddened by this, and his mother is understandably upset. She says there are no clinical trials right now that Jordan can get into, except for one that uses pills, which Jordan can’t swallow. I’m so sorry to hear this news. Jordan is a great boy, and he reminds me a lot of Cristian. I am keeping Jordan and his family in my prayers and I will do anything and everything I can to help him. Too many amazing kids are lost to DIPG, but I never lose hope that one day all of these casualties will be a thing of the past.

John “Gungie” Rivera
Forever Cristian’s Daddy