May 2026 Newsletter: We went Grey in May for D.I.P.G.

All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them.

-Magic Johnson

9th Cristian Rivera Foundation Full Steam Ahead 5k

REGISTER NOW AND HELP US SAVE LIVES!

Mark your calendars and join the movement—run, walk, or donate. Every step and contribution helps drive the fight forward toward a cure for D.I.P.G. This incredible event brings together participants of all ages, both in person and virtually, to support our mission while enjoying a day of fun, fitness, and community.

Register today at cristianriverafoundation.org/crf5k/

or support by donating at cristianriverafoundation.org/crf5k/donate/.

D.I.P.G. Warrior

Isabella Cashion

D.I.P.G Warrior Izzy just got her fourth round of CAR-T Cell Therapy after starting a trial at Stanford in California in February of this year. As of April 2026, her 3-D modeling scans have shown slight shrinkage in her tumor, around 10-15% overall.

This is good news. It’s been 9 months since her diagnosis, and she is staying strong.

Due to the treatment, Izzy has lost about 90% of her beautiful, curly blonde hair, but her smile is still as bright as ever. Overall, according to her mother, Izzy has been relatively symptom-free. She hasn’t let the treatment slow her down. Before her treatment, Izzy got to enjoy some time doing gymnastics, swimming, and playing t-ball.

Izzy and her family celebrated Mother’s Day in style, and she is looking forward to her birthday next month!

Sean Ringgold

This month, our Spotlight series highlights Board Supporter Sean Ringgold. During his interview, Sean shared how his journey—from growing up in Queens to building a career in entertainment—taught him the value of resilience, humility, and purpose. He also reflected on how his personal experiences as a father have strengthened his commitment to the mission of the Cristian Rivera Foundation and its fight against D.I.P.G.

Raised in the diverse neighborhoods of Queens, New York, bordered by affluence and poverty alike, Sean Ringgold gained invaluable learned experiences, morals, and values that define him to this day. His unique upbringing, being situated in such a populous place, allowed him to see firsthand what drove people to become successful. At just sixteen years old, Ringgold obtained his first job as a lifeguard. This taught him discipline, mental toughness, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Working with others and being immersed in such a vast community showed him that navigating different personalities is effortless with just two components: empathy and humility. He learned that he does not need to be the loudest voice in the room to connect with others.

Before having ever stepped in front of a camera, Ringgold embraced the entertainment industry by becoming a celebrity bodyguard, offering executive protection specialization. During this time, he crossed paths with many A-list artists, even spending a lot of time around the notable 106 & Park.  Often, creatives in the industry would offer him their professional cards, incentivizing him to expand into the craft. Eventually, he got his first big break—amazingly, from the nickname “Big Head.” He earned this name from a music video and recurring on-screen appearances that turned him into a recognizable character; this opportunity opened doors he never planned to walk through.

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Colonel Marisol A. Chalas

National Armed Forces Day – May 16

National Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the 3rd Saturday of May each year. This day is an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments and sacrifices of both active and retired military members.

During her military journey to become an Army Reserve Aviation Command Colonel, our board member, Marisol Chalas, became the first Latina Black Hawk Pilot in the Army National Guard. This achievement demonstrates not only her personal tenacity but also sends a message to others that nothing is impossible.

From everyone here at CRF, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Colonel Chalas for her service to both our country and the CRF board.

Chairwoman of the Board

Melinda Colon Cox

May 21

On behalf of all of us at CRF, we wish you a very happy birthday!

Your leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to our mission inspire us every day. As Chairwoman of the Board, your guidance and dedication have helped shape our journey and strengthen our impact in the community. We are deeply grateful for all that you do and for the passion you bring to CRF.

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.

Dr. Mark Souweidane

May 13

Happy Birthday to our incredible medical partner, Dr. Mark Souweidane! Your unwavering commitment to finding a cure for D.I.P.G. inspires us every day. We’re so grateful for the difference you’re making in the lives of so many.

Fundraising for our 9th Annual CRF 5k is in full swing! Currently, our community has raised over $5,000!

100% of the proceeds from this event will support innovative research and clinical trials for Dr. Mark Souweidane of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, as well as the research being conducted at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital lab of Dr. Oren Becher.

We are so excited to see you all next month, and we will reach the finish line together!

Go Grey in May for Brain Tumor Awareness Month! This month, we all came together to spread awareness about the fatal D.I.P.G. and grow the CRF community. Awareness is the first step to building hope and finding a cure. CRF is going grey in support of our amazing D.I.P.G Warriors!

May 17th was D.I.P.G. Awareness Day.

Awareness day for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (D.I.P.G.) may only come once a year, but here at CRF, we honor this day year-round.

Awareness is incredibly important because it is the first step to making real change. When more people know about D.I.P.G., more people join the movement and fight back against this injustice.

Join us in spreading awareness about D.I.P.G. Talk to friends and family, share on social media, or attend an event. We appreciate everyone’s support in sharing our mission.

D.I.P.G. will not wait. We must raise awareness and continue our fight, full steam ahead.

Happy Mother’s Day!

We celebrate all the amazing moms and mother figures who fill our lives with love, strength, and support. Your care, dedication, and resilience make a difference every single day. We are especially grateful for the mothers who continue to show courage and hope in the face of challenges.

BTIG Charity Day is an annual event where BTIG donates its trading commission profits to charitable organizations. Since starting in 2003, it has raised over $60 million for hundreds of charities worldwide, with support from clients, employees, and celebrity partners. This year’s event was a huge success!

We are grateful to New York Yankee Star pitcher, Fernando Cruz, and our founder, John Gungie Rivera, for representing the Cristian Rivera Foundation. We would also like to single out NY Yankees GM Brian Cashman and NY Yankees Manager Aaron Boone for always taking a special interest in our warriors. In 2024, they, along with Omar Minaya and Ray Negron, made it possible for D.I.P.G. Warrior Emiliano Bermejo and his parents to attend the Yankees excursion game against Diablos Rojo in Mexico.

Huge shout out to actor Patrick Dempsey, NY Knicks legend Walt Clyde Frazier, and Former NY Yankees Pitcher, CC Sabathia. It was a pleasure connecting with them and many others at the event!

Congratulations to our Board Member, Journalist, and Co-anchor of
NBC’s Today in NY News Show, Darlene Rodriguez, on being
inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame!

This well-deserved honor recognizes your outstanding contributions, leadership, and commitment to making a difference in the community. We are proud to celebrate this incredible achievement and grateful for all that you do to support the mission of the Cristian Rivera Foundation.

Please join in congratulating Darlene on this remarkable recognition!

This May, we remember and honor the birthdays of these beloved angels. These 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.

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.

This May, we honor the Angelversaries of these brave children. We 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.

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 May, 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