The participants in the Cristian Rivera Foundation Walk-a-thon proudly holding up the Foundation banner after they concluded the walk-a-thon.
At 9 AM this past Sunday, April 17th, 2011 Cristian Rivera Foundation supporters trickled into the Roberto Clemente State park in the Bronx wearing Cristian Rivera Foundation t-shirts and wristbands to show their support in finding a cure for DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma).
The Walk-for-Health was created to inspire community consciousness and raise funds to help fight a variety of ailments that affect our community. This year the focus was on fatal pediatric brain stem tumors and benefited The Cristian Rivera Foundation.
The Cristian Rivera Foundation's mission is to help find a cure for Pontine Glioma brain stem tumors, which ultimately claimed Cristian's young life. The Cristian Rivera Foundation donates all monies raised to hospitals and foundations researching cures for Pontine Glioma through medical trials and scientific research. For instance, the Cristian Rivera Foundation actively supports Dr. Mark Soudweidane of the Weill Cornell Medical Center, who has formed a clinical trial that will aim to bypass the blood-brain barrier and treat Pontine Giloma tumors directly. The Foundation also donates to public awareness campaigns that seek to raise community consciousness regarding this terrible disease.
Proud friends, family and supporters joined Cristian Rivera Foundation committee members; Deputy Inspector Edward Caban, La Mega 97.9 FM's On-Air Radio Personality J.I. Starr, The Remix King DJ Tedsmooth, Marketing Company Owner Elis Pacheco, Interior Designer Solange Osorio, Talent Agency CEO Carlos "Keyes" Fernandez, Renowned DJ and Business Impresario Ralph Mercado III, Art Director for Lillian August Design Katie DeFlorio, Music Producer and Cutting Records Owner Aldo Marin, Real Estate Agent Fulvia Lora and Cristian Rivera Foundation Founder John "Gungie" Rivera to begin the 5 mile walk through the Roberto Clemente State Park.
The Hudson River Café donated water bottles which were passed out by happy volunteers cheering the walkers on. The walk concluded with a group picture and pledges to come back for the next walk-a-thon.
Kenan Thompson is an accomplished actor and current cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. He has had many memorable roles on television and in film, including the title role in Fat Albert, a recurring part on The Steve Harvey Show and a starring role on Nickelodeon’s Kenan and Kel, as well as the film Good Burger.
Odalys Molina is a reporter on Telemundo 47,serving as co-host of the entertainment show “Acceso Total.” The Cuban native has received various honors throughout her accomplished career, including an official proclamation of the City of New York from former Governor George E. Pataki and four awards from ACE, a cultural and literary institution that recognizes excellence among Hispanic artists in film, television and the arts.
Aldo Marin is a music producer and co-founder of independent record label Cutting Records. In its 26 years, Cutting Records has spotlighted some of the top names in Latin, dance, urban and freestyle music, including Corina, Safire, Coro and Grammy-nominated group Fulanito. Marin got his start as a DJ, winning the Battle of the DJ’s for the original WKTU 92-FM, and has served on the NARAS Latin Advisory Committee New York Chapter and NARAS Board of Governors New York Chapter.
Katie DeFlorio is the art director for high-end interior design and decorating firm Lillian August, which has offices in Connecticut, New York and Los Angeles, California. She works under the vice president of marketing and handles all of the company’s advertising, web and social media activities, and other design-related functions. DeFlorio joined the company soon after earning her degree in advertising art direction from New York’s Pratt Institute and has been there for six years.
Fulvia Lora is a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Christos M. Cotsakos College of Business at William Paterson University, where she earned her degree is business administration and marketing. Lora is also the aunt of Javier “Buji” Villamil, who passed away from DIPG in January 2010.