Monthly Newsletter May 2010Greetings from the Cristian Rivera Foundation.
"One of my funniest memories of Cristian is the day I brought Cris home after having spent a nice day with his dad, John. Cristian's dad had brought him an ice cream cone to eat on the way home. Now mind you, I'd just cleaned the car inside and out. Anyway, I'm stopped at a traffic light and Cris is pretty quiet, for the most part because he was eating his ice cream. Or so I thought. I finally got around to the front of his building to drop him off and I felt something cold and wet soaking through my jacket and shirt. I stepped out of the car to see what it was and, sure enough, Cris quietly dropped his cone down the front seat---"the driver's seat." I looked at Cris in the back seat and he had the biggest smile. I asked him why he did that and his reply was, "I didn't want it anymore." Needless to say, me knowing Cris the way that I do, I could only stay mad for about 13 or 14 seconds before I fell out laughing because the answer was so funny and unexpected."
"Cristian Rivera: there are not enough adjectives to describe him. He was a charismatic boy who made his presence felt when he entered a room. I know I sound like I am describing a grown person, but this was just a little boy who lit up a room when he entered it and commanded attention. Cristian's smile was so contagious that he could make you do anything he would ask by just smiling. There were so many moments that we shared in such a short time. How do you focus on just one? From the day I knew he was in his mom's belly to the days when his dad would bring him to the office, we had a bond. I discovered very quickly that he had a great sense of humor and liked playing pranks. He got a real kick out of giving me a hard time, but that was also his charm. I also quickly discovered how smart he was and that he had a real passion for trains, specifically Thomas trains. He would name all the characters and train parts from memory. He knew how to find rare Thomas trains and order them on eBay and other search engines. I spent many hours in front of the computer with Cristian on my lap as we would go on Google and eBay and negotiate for the rarest Thomas trains. It seems so unfair to get to know Cristian and have to lose him so shortly after. His memory, and the unconditional love that he blessed me with, will be with me forever. My reason for being a Committee Member of his Foundation is to find a cure for Pontine Glioma. I want to give children a fighting chance to conquer this monster. No more families should have to suffer in losing wonderful, charismatic, dynamic and loving little boys like Cristian Rivera. Love you Cristian."
If you have stories to share about your memories of Cristian, ways you're getting the word out about this Foundation, or your feelings about our quest to cure Pontine Glioma, we'd love to hear from you. You could be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
As always, we thank you for the hard work and dedication you've given this Foundation. We encourage you to continue to spread the word, wear your Foundation wristband, and urge your family and friends to make a tax-deductible donation toward curing Pontine Glioma.
Sincerely, John "Gungie" Rivera, "Forever Cristian's Daddy," and all of the members of the Cristian Rivera Committee: Alex Aviles, Andy Epstein, Ann Lee Caceres, Anthony Mason, Bill Marin, Boy Wonder, David Maldonado, Denise Miranda, DJ Camilo, DJ Funkmaster Flex, DJ Tedsmooth, Dr. Ben Velazquez, Dr. Mary Saleeby, Edward Caban, Elis Pacheco, Fernando Ferrer, Hamlet Peralta, James Cruz, James R. Cotto, Jay Hernandez, Jay Marin, Jeff & Valerie Lavino, Jim Jones, Jimmy Rodriguez, J.I. Starr, John "Jellybean" Benitez, Jessy Terrero, Johnny Nunez, Jose Alberto "El Canario," Joseph Mbeh, Kamar De Los Reyes, Kenya Bradix, Khaliah Ali, Little Louie Vega, Maria Marin, Mark Rosner, Mathew "Mateo" Rajkumar, Melissa Chung, Miriam Colon, Murray Richman, Pablo Diaz, Ralph Mercado III, Ray Wong, Ricardo Cardona, Solange Osorio, Steve Cox, Ulysses Terrero, Vic Latino, Victor Martinez and William Pla.
The West Side Highway is getting a little more scenic for the month of May. The next time you drive past 132nd Street, look up. A 68x20 billboard facing south on the north side of the highway will be displaying a familiar cause---ours.
The Cristian Rivera Foundation has purchased this billboard space for one month beginning Monday, May 10. The billboard appears in Cristian's favorite color blue and sports a picture of Cristian, our Foundation website and the slogan "Help our kids. Let's find a cure for Pontine Glioma." Talk about a talking point! Make sure to point the billboard out to everyone in your car as you pass by and direct them to our website, http://www.cristianriverafoundation.org/, where they can learn about the disease, see news and photos, and even buy a Cristian Rivera Foundation wristband.
Be on the lookout this Monday, May 10. The Cristian Rivera Foundation billboard is coming, full steam ahead.
Having Cristian smiling down on so many people as they drive along the West Side Highway has made Committee Member Kenya Bradix remember some of the great times he had with Cristian Rivera:
The Cristian Rivera Foundation has purchased this billboard space for one month beginning Monday, May 10. The billboard appears in Cristian's favorite color blue and sports a picture of Cristian, our Foundation website and the slogan "Help our kids. Let's find a cure for Pontine Glioma." Talk about a talking point! Make sure to point the billboard out to everyone in your car as you pass by and direct them to our website, http://www.cristianriverafoundation.org/, where they can learn about the disease, see news and photos, and even buy a Cristian Rivera Foundation wristband.
Be on the lookout this Monday, May 10. The Cristian Rivera Foundation billboard is coming, full steam ahead.
Having Cristian smiling down on so many people as they drive along the West Side Highway has made Committee Member Kenya Bradix remember some of the great times he had with Cristian Rivera:
"One of my funniest memories of Cristian is the day I brought Cris home after having spent a nice day with his dad, John. Cristian's dad had brought him an ice cream cone to eat on the way home. Now mind you, I'd just cleaned the car inside and out. Anyway, I'm stopped at a traffic light and Cris is pretty quiet, for the most part because he was eating his ice cream. Or so I thought. I finally got around to the front of his building to drop him off and I felt something cold and wet soaking through my jacket and shirt. I stepped out of the car to see what it was and, sure enough, Cris quietly dropped his cone down the front seat---"the driver's seat." I looked at Cris in the back seat and he had the biggest smile. I asked him why he did that and his reply was, "I didn't want it anymore." Needless to say, me knowing Cris the way that I do, I could only stay mad for about 13 or 14 seconds before I fell out laughing because the answer was so funny and unexpected."Committee Member Pablo Diaz also put his memories of Cristian down on paper. Here's what he had to say:
"Cristian Rivera: there are not enough adjectives to describe him. He was a charismatic boy who made his presence felt when he entered a room. I know I sound like I am describing a grown person, but this was just a little boy who lit up a room when he entered it and commanded attention. Cristian's smile was so contagious that he could make you do anything he would ask by just smiling. There were so many moments that we shared in such a short time. How do you focus on just one? From the day I knew he was in his mom's belly to the days when his dad would bring him to the office, we had a bond. I discovered very quickly that he had a great sense of humor and liked playing pranks. He got a real kick out of giving me a hard time, but that was also his charm. I also quickly discovered how smart he was and that he had a real passion for trains, specifically Thomas trains. He would name all the characters and train parts from memory. He knew how to find rare Thomas trains and order them on eBay and other search engines. I spent many hours in front of the computer with Cristian on my lap as we would go on Google and eBay and negotiate for the rarest Thomas trains. It seems so unfair to get to know Cristian and have to lose him so shortly after. His memory, and the unconditional love that he blessed me with, will be with me forever. My reason for being a Committee Member of his Foundation is to find a cure for Pontine Glioma. I want to give children a fighting chance to conquer this monster. No more families should have to suffer in losing wonderful, charismatic, dynamic and loving little boys like Cristian Rivera. Love you Cristian."As always, we thank you for the hard work and dedication you've given this Foundation. We encourage you to continue to spread the word, wear your Foundation wristband, and urge your family and friends to make a tax-deductible donation toward curing Pontine Glioma.
Sincerely, John "Gungie" Rivera, "Forever Cristian's Daddy," and all of the members of the Cristian Rivera Committee: Alex Aviles, Andy Epstein, Ann Lee Caceres, Anthony Mason, Bill Marin, Boy Wonder, David Maldonado, Denise Miranda, DJ Camilo, DJ Funkmaster Flex, DJ Tedsmooth, Dr. Ben Velazquez, Dr. Mary Saleeby, Edward Caban, Elis Pacheco, Fernando Ferrer, Hamlet Peralta, James Cruz, James R. Cotto, Jay Hernandez, Jay Marin, Jeff & Valerie Lavino, Jim Jones, Jimmy Rodriguez, J.I. Starr, John "Jellybean" Benitez, Jessy Terrero, Johnny Nunez, Jose Alberto "El Canario," Joseph Mbeh, Kamar De Los Reyes, Kenya Bradix, Khaliah Ali, Little Louie Vega, Maria Marin, Mark Rosner, Mathew "Mateo" Rajkumar, Melissa Chung, Miriam Colon, Murray Richman, Pablo Diaz, Ralph Mercado III, Ray Wong, Ricardo Cardona, Solange Osorio, Steve Cox, Ulysses Terrero, Vic Latino, Victor Martinez and William Pla.
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