Cristian Rivera Foundation Walk-A-Thon is a Huge Success!

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.