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Here Comes the Sun – July 2021 Newsletter is Here!

July 13, 2021

It’s July and beginning to feel more like Summer every day! Here at the Cristian Rivera Foundation, we are constantly working to fund important research for DIPG. As we all know, pediatric cancer research in general accounts for a minuscule amount of government funding, so it’s up to family foundations like ours to raise the money that will find a cure. The road to a cure can seem daunting, but each day that we extend even one child’s life is worth it.

Contributions from dedicated supporters like you are what give families, doctors, and foundations hope that a cure is not too far away. It is because of your generosity that we are here today, and we appreciate you greatly. As we delve deeper into the Summer season, we hope you can join us for all of our upcoming events.

Niyomi is a rising senior at Northview High School from Duluth, Georgia. Niyomi has founded a non-profit where she shares her passion for dance to help restore mental and physical health that may have been affected through COVID. She actively leads many other service events in her community and is engaged in research of other rare diseases. Interning at CRF gives Niyomi the opportunity to satisfy her scientific curiosity about DIPG and take steps towards her goal of becoming a physician.

DIPG Warrior Update: Emiliano’s New Trial

Our dear little warrior Emiliano has started participating in the Mebendazole Clinical Trial at John’s Hopkins in Baltimore. We had the pleasure of assisting his family with their flight tickets with the help of Operation Angel Planes. In addition, we covered all the hotel, travel, and daily living expenses for the duration of their stay.

It’s thanks to the support of donors like you that we are able to help families like Emiliano’s. His family will have to travel once a month to receive the Mebendazole treatment so any donations you can provide will go a long way. You can donate to Emiliano’s family here: cristianriverafoundation.org/help-emiliano/

We are hoping this clinical trial is effective in treating his tumor. As always, we will keep you posted on our beloved friend.

The Little Tractor Boy That Could:
Liam Salmon

Liam Salmon was a DIPG Warrior who fought valiantly against his tumor. He was such a light in this world and touched the hearts of everyone who knew him. Liam is yet another reason why we do what we do. Children should live in a world free of DIPG.

We had the pleasure of talking with Liam’s father, Howard, about his son’s journey. Read Liam’s story at cristianriverafoundation.org/the-little-tractor-boy-that-could-liam-salmon/ .

4th Annual Full Steam Ahead 5K

Join us virtually or in-person for the 4th Annual CRF 5k at Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday, July 17th, 2021 from 9 am to 11:30 am. We are still accepting registrants and donations.

Register online as a single participant or build a team and raise even more funds in support of DIPG research and helping families. Follow the link below to join the fun cristianriverafoundation.org/
crf5kwalkrun/register/

5th annual Flashback boat ride

Ready to get out, enjoy the fresh air and have some fun? Join us for an amazing night aboard the world-famous Circle Line on Sat. August 28th! There will be music, dancing, silent auction items, special surprise guests, and performances – all toward an amazing cause. Early Bird tickets are $40 until Thurs 7/22 & $50 after that.

Purchase tickets now before prices go up at the following link cristianriverafoundation.org/5th-annual-boat-ride/

12th annual celebrity gala

Join us for our 12th Celebrity Gala on Wed Nov 17th. A night of moving stories, great performances and food, and wonderful people. Discounted Early Bird tickets are $400 until Sun Aug 15th when they will go up to $500. Purchase tickets at cristianriverafoundation.org/12th-annual-gala/

We just want to thank every one of our dedicated supporters and board members for being here and supporting our cause. Your continued generosity is the light that warms our path toward finding a cure. We will continue to work tirelessly through the summer months and beyond until a cure for DIPG is found. Full Steam Ahead!

Our Mission

The mission of the Cristian Rivera Foundation is to help find the cure for
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG),
an inoperable and incurable brain stem tumor.

What is DIPG
(Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma)?

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG, is a Rare, Inoperable Brain Stem Tumor that predominantly affects children between the ages of 2 and 10. Only 200-300 cases are discovered in the United States each year and because there is no cure, it’s young victims only have an average of 3-18 months to live, after they’ve been diagnosed. There are NO SURVIVORS.

Who is
The Cristian Rivera Foundation?

The Cristian Rivera Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that works tirelessly, in order to raise awareness and funds to one day put a STOP to this disease. The Cristian Rivera Foundation funds the work of Dr. Mark Souweidane of Weill Cornell Medical Center – Memorial Sloane (Kettering) Cancer Center and Dr. Oren Becher of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Lurie Cancer center at Northwestern University. Both Doctors are conducting promising research and trials that have shown promising results. We are CLOSE to a CURE!

How Can You Help:

Help us by making a Donation.
Every Donation Big or Small, will help us achieve our goal.
Help spread the word to your family, friends and Colleagues.

Thank You again and may this be the year we say goodbye to DIPG,
(Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma),
FOREVER!

PLEASE DONATE

Sincerely,
Cristian Rivera Foundation

Founder:
John “Gungie” Rivera
"Forever Cristian’s Daddy"

Board of Directors:
Carlos Yepez and Darlene Rodriguez.

Committee Members:
Aldo Marin, Alex Arizmendi, Alex Garcia,
Carlos Colon, Fernando Ferrer,
Francesco Quattrone, Jarrad Seuferling,
Kenan Thompson, Luis Guzman,
Meiling Macias Toro, Paul Pristavec, Rafael Toro,
Rena Kliot, and Steve Cox.

Supporters:
Ben Velazquez, David Rodriguez,
Dr. Manuel A. Moran, Ed Martin, Karla De Epstein,
Michael V. Narvaez, and William Pla.

Chairman of the Board:
Andy Epstein

Director:
Sarde Laurente

Committee Friends:
Alberto Torres, Edward Caban, Elis Pacheco,
Maggie Meehan, Mark Rosner, Melinda Colon Cox,
and Vanessa Rodriguez, and Vito Bruno.

Honorary Committee Members:
The Late Anthony Mason
and The Late Miriam Colon.

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COVID-19 Resource and Information

Here Comes the Sun – July 2021 Newsletter is Here!

Archive

Auction /Raffle Winners Archive

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Cristian Rivera Foundation | PO Box 656, Edgewater, NJ 07020

2018, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24 Awarded 7 Consecutive Years

2018, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24 Awarded 7 Consecutive Years

2018, 19, 20, 21,
22, 23, 24
Awarded 7 Consecutive Years

2018, 19, 20, 21,
22, 23, 24
Awarded 7 Consecutive Years