Crisitian Rivera Foundation June 2011 Newsletter

Greetings from the Cristian Rivera Foundation.

Welcome to the Cristian Rivera Foundation’s June newsletter.

The Cristian Rivera Foundation would like to start out by wishing a happy birthday on Saturday June 4 to Cristian’s Mommy, Jenelle Asencio, and thanking everyone who observed National Brain Tumor Awareness Month in May. National Brain Tumor Awareness Month recognizes those affected by all brain tumors. During this month, people around the country wear gray ribbons, which symbolize brain tumors, and remember those who have suffered from, or lost their life to, brain tumors, including DIPG. As you know, 200-300 children between the ages of 1 and 10 are diagnosed with DIPG every year. The median survival rate for these children is only 3-18 months and to date, there are no known survivors.

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our two newest Committee Members, Doug E. Fresh and Jerry Chaparro.

Known as the “Human Beat Box,” Doug E. Fresh is a rapper, record producer and beat boxer who helped create two of hip hop’s early classic songs, "The Show" and "La-Di-Da-Di." He appeared on HBO as the host of P. Diddy Presents the Bad Boys of Comedy for two seasons and was immortalized in Cali Swag District’s 2010 song, "Teach Me How to Dougie."

Jerry Chaparro is a successful event promoter and emcee, focusing on primarily Latin events in his native New Jersey. Chaparro first began working for John “Gungie” Rivera in 2002 and soon after, became a subpromoter for the Saturday night parties at Rhumba in the Bronx. A true entrepreneur, Chaparro currently works as an independent promoter out of his home, helping to fill events with stars like DJ Bacan of La X 96.3FM to capacity.

With our latest Committee Members in tow, the Cristian Rivera Foundation has a great summer planned. It all started Memorial Day Weekend with the Prestige Productions Reunion, which took place at Latin Quarter on Sunday May 29, 2011. The crowd danced to the music of Committee Members Tedsmooth, DJ Wreck and DJ Lucho, as well as DJ Michael Kuilan, DJ Elmer G and legendary freestyle singer Coro. John “Gungie” Rivera was happy to see so many of Prestige’s old staff members and customers, as well as his son JC, Committee Member Stephanie Carrera, Committee Member and birthday boy Steve Cox, and DIPG families including Alexander Jonathan Montes’ parents, Nereida Perez and Robinson Montes, Javier “Buji” Villamil’s mom Rosemary and Buji’s aunt, Committee Member Fulvia Lora. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Cristian Rivera Foundation.

On Wednesday June 29, 2011, Latin Quarter will be hosting the Cristian Rivera Foundation Salsa Fundraiser with performances by Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member and International Salsa Singer Jose Alberto “El Canario” and Orchestra, as well as DJ Wreck and DJ Norty Coto. Guests will enjoy drink specials from 6-7pm and there will be free dance lessons at 8pm, so don’t be late! For more information visit www.cristianriverafoundation.org.

Lastly, we hope you’ll join us on Monday, September 12, 2011 for the Third Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Fundraiser Gala at Committee Member Alex Garcia’s newly-launched Copa Cabana Supper Club, located in the former China Club space. Details of the event will be announced in future newsletters, as well as on our website www.cristianriverafoundation.org. To keep up with the latest news on the gala and the Foundation, visit our Facebook pagehttp://www.facebook.com/?tid=1613593259224&sk=messages#!/pages/Cristian-Rivera-Foundation/176323675727785, join our official Facebook Grouphttp://www.facebook.com/?tid=1613593259224&sk=messages#!/home.php?sk=group_143143255734418 and follow us on Twitter @tweetcrf.

Please let your Facebook friends and Twitter followers know about the Cristian Rivera Foundation. Mention us on your social networking page and direct others to www.cristianriverafoundation.org, where they can make a donation or purchase a signature foundation wristband, T-shirt or “On The Right Track” pendant from Joan Hornig Jewelry. Any donation, big or small, helps bring us closer to our goal of curing Pontine Glioma forever.

Thank you and may 2011 be the year we say goodbye to Pontine Glioma forever.

Sincerely,

John “Gungie” Rivera, “Forever Cristian’s Daddy,” and all of the members of the Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee: Aldo Marin, Alex Garcia, Andy Epstein, Anthony Mason, Aurora Flores, Boy Wonder, Carlos “Keyes” Fernandez, David Maldonado, DJ Camilo, Dr. Ben Velazquez, Dr. Mary Saleeby, Dr. Bear Walker, Doug E. Fresh, Edward Caban, Elis Pacheco, Fernando Ferrer, Fulvia Lora, Funkmaster Flex, Hamlet Peralta, James R. Cotto, Jay Hernandez, Jeff & Valerie Lavino, Jerry Chaparro, Jim Jones, Jimmy Rodriguez, John “Jellybean” Benitez, Johnny Nuñez, Jose Alberto “El Canario,” Joseph Mbeh, Kamar De Los Reyes, Katie DeFlorio, Kenan Thompson, Khaliah Ali, Little Louie Vega, Luis Lucho Concepcion, Luis Guzman, Marianela Gonzalez, Marissa Gonzalez, Mark Rosner, Matthew “Mateo” Rajkumar, Melissa Chung, Miriam Colon, Murray Richman, Odalys Molina, Pablo Diaz, Ralph Mercado III, Ray Wong, Ricardo Cardona, Robert Vazquez, Stephanie Carrera, Steve Cox, Tedsmooth, Tony Ferrara, Vic Latino, Victor Martinez, Vito Bruno and William Pla.