January 2024 Newsletter “A look back at 2023 and an exciting peek into 2024.”
PRESENTING OUR 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Taking a look back at a few of the things you helped us accomplish. Full Steam Ahead!
Iconic red carpet interviewer AJ Calloway, Major League Baseball star Gio Urshela, and WBO NABO super-middleweight boxing champion Edgar Berlanga became board members
MLB stars Harrison Bader and Oswaldo Cabrera, along with Mets legend Doc Gooden, represented CRF at BTIG Charity Day on May 2nd. Our warrior Jesselyn “Jesszilla” Silva was the biggest star
CRF board member and actor Kenan Thompson represented us at the Cantor Fitzgerald Charity Day on Sept 11th
For the 3rd year in a row, on Dec 12th we made a record-breaking donation – over $350,000 to our medical partner Dr. Mark Souweidane
After we gave Dr. Oren Becher his 2023 year end annual research check, we reached a milestone of over $500,000 donated in 2023
Our D.I.P.G. warriors Maria Kuenster, Emiliano Bermejo, and Lisha Ayala all showed decreasing or stable tumor growth after their MRIs.
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EVENTS
Thank you for joining us at our successful events throughout 2023.
The 6th Annual CRF 5K was a success.
The 7th Annual CRF Boat Ride sold out for the 6th year in a row.
View the highlights above from our 14th Annual Celebrity Gala.
Our 14th Annual CRF Celebrity Gala sold out for the 12th year in a row. Celebrity guests included actors Kenan Thompson, Luis Guzman, Malik Yoba, Chazz Palminteri, and Luna Velez, Major League Baseball stars Harrison Bader and Gio Urshela, Super Middleweight Boxing Champion Edgar Berlanga and more.
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PRESS
We were featured in a special edition newsletter from Weill Cornell Medicine
Richard Rubenstein Public Relations, is CRF’s new public relations firm. They have directed some of the highest profile PR campaigns in the world, including for Ferrari, the Time Warner Center, and the Miss Universe Organization
CRF was shouted out in Page Six of the NY Post after a dinner at Rao’s with actors Kenan Thompson and Bo Dietl, CRF medical partner Dr. Mark Souweidane, and founder John “Gungie” Rivera
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CRF’S 2024 EVENTS
Discounted Early Bird Seats are available for the 15th Annual CRF Celebrity Gala on Wed, Nov 13, 2024 at Capitale in NYC. Purchase your seats before prices up on March 15th!
1st Place- 2 Premium Tickets to a NY Yankee Game (2024 Season)
2nd Place- Apple iPad
3rd Place- $200 Dinner Gift Card to Giacomo & Gennaro’s Patricia’s of Tremont
Raffles available to purchase from now until Wed. April 3rd at 5pm and Drawing Wed. April 3rd and winners posted on cristianriverafoundation.org at 8pm.
Keep an eye out as the date for our 7th Annual CRF 5K will be announced soon
Discounted tickets are now available for our 8th Annual Boat Ride on Sat July 13th
Reach record-breaking donations to Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Oren Becher for another consecutive year.
Provide financial support to more families than ever before while increasing the amount of D.I.P.G. warriors we assist in receiving treatment.
Spread D.I.P.G. awareness to more people than ever before.
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Remembering Cristian
Jan 21st marked 17 years since Cristian was diagnosed with D.I.P.G., and Jan 25th marked 15 years since Cristian passed away. We remember him, hold him in our hearts, and recognize the 15 years that he has inspired us to push for a cure.
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CRF BOARD MEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Mark Rosner January 15th
Rena Kliot January 16th
Paul Pristavec January 21st
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D.I.P.G. ANGELS’ ANNIVERSARIES
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D.I.P.G. ANGELS’ BIRTHDAYS
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View our 2023/24 work/mission video below
Sincerely, Cristian Rivera Foundation
Founder: John “Gungie” Rivera
Chairman of the Board: Melinda Colon Cox
Board of Director: Darlene Rodriguez
Executive Board Member: Rena Kliot
Committee Members: AJ Calloway, Aldo Marin, Carlos Colon, Edgar Berlanga, Fernando Ferrer, Gio Urshela, Jarrad Seuferling, Kenan Thompson, Luis Guzman, Meiling Macias Toro, Paul Pristavec, and Rafael Toro
Committee Friends: Maggie Meehan, Mark Rosner and Michael V. Narvaez
Honorary Committee Members: The Late Anthony Mason and The Late Miriam Colon
Supporters: Alex Garcia, David Rodriguez, Edward Caban and Steve Cox
2018, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Awarded 6 Consecutive Years
