This past weekend, the Aimee Dickey Childhood Cancer Walk/Fun Day was held in Scranton, Pennsylvania. All of the DIPG families on the Yahoo group went. I’m sad to say I couldn’t make it. I really wish that I’d been there because it’s a great sign of support that so many people went to Nay Aug Park to help raise money and find a cure for DIPG. Bringing so many people together for a common cause like that is truly inspiring and I want to applaud Aimee’s mom, Annette, for all of her efforts.

The Cristian Rivera Foundation will do the same thing on Tuesday, October 19. That’s the date we just announced for our second gala. I’m very excited. Less than a month from now, my family, friends, colleagues and everyone who cares about Cristian and this Foundation will join me at Quo in Manhattan. We’ll not only celebrate Cristian’s life but also raise the money that will help to one day cure all of the DIPG children I’ve come to know. The DIPG community is very small and everyone knows each other. I have met so many wonderful people since I started this journey and they serve as a constant reminder of what we can accomplish with this Foundation and with this gala. I’m so grateful to everyone who will buy a ticket, sell tickets or make a donation to my son’s gala. Last year’s event was very successful and my goal is to make this year’s gala even better than the last one. Every year I hope to see growth and improvement. We can accomplish so many great things and I’m excited by the possibilities of just what this Foundation can do.

John “Gungie” Rivera
Forever Cristian’s Daddy