A new year is a new beginning and another chance for us to make this the year that Pontine Glioma is cured. In addition to our non-stop efforts to educate the public on the devastating effects of Pontine Glioma and raise the money necessary to fund research into its cure, The Cristian Rivera Foundation also aims to become a greater resource for the Pontine Glioma community. That’s why you’ll notice quite a few changes to our website, www.cristianriverafoundation.org.
Dr. Loice Swisher, an FDA Patient Representative and emergency medicine physician, has graciously assisted the Cristian Rivera Foundation in updating our medical content. Click on the DIPG Info tab and you’ll see the most up-to-date information on the disease, as well as helpful images that illustrate just what Pontine Glioma is and how it affects its victims. Dr. Swisher has also assisted us in creating the DIPG Parents tab, where the parents of young children suffering from Pontine Glioma can go to find out about clinical trials and to see other links that will help them navigate the difficult and painful journey that begins at diagnosis.
The Cristian Rivera Foundation has also formed a new Medical Advisory Board to help us to keep our information up to date and find out about other promising research into the treatment and cure of Pontine Glioma. Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member Dr. Bear Walker is the first member to join our Medical Advisory Board and we look forward to announcing other members in the future.
We are also happy to announce that a portion of the proceeds from La Invasion Del Amor — an all-star Valentine’s Day Concert starring Victor Manuelle, Elvis Crespo and many others — will benefit the Cristian Rivera Foundation. La Invasion Del Amor will take place on Saturday February 12th at 8pm at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx. You can get your tickets now by calling (212) 779-2222 or visiting www.lehmancenter.org. More information is available at www.victory2multimedia.com/LaInvasionDelAmor.php.
As much as all of these exciting developments fill us with hope, January is also a solemn time for us at the Cristian Rivera Foundation. Tuesday January 25, 2011 will mark two years since Cristian Rivera earned his wings and left us for heaven. Please keep Cristian, his family and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers on that sad day.
Remember that the support of people like you is key to curing Pontine Glioma and making sure no child will have to suffer through the disease again. Please visit www.cristianriverafoundation.org and purchase a signature foundation wristband, t-shirt or pendant to help fund our cause. Please forward this email to your friends, family and colleagues so that they too can learn about Pontine Glioma and the Cristian Rivera Foundation. Urge them to get involved. Post our link on your website, and remember to friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Together we can make 2011 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 Committee: Alex Garcia, Andy Epstein, Anthony Mason, Aurora Flores, Boy Wonder, David Maldonado, Denise Miranda, DJ Camilo, Dr. Ben Velazquez, Dr. Mary Saleeby, Dr. Bear Walker, Edward Caban, Elis Pacheco, Fernando Ferrer, Funkmaster Flex, Hamlet Peralta, James R. Cotto, Jay Hernandez, Jeff & Valerie Lavino, Jim Jones, Jimmy Rodriguez, J.I. Starr, John “Jellybean” Benitez, Johnny Nuñez, Jose Alberto “El Canario,” Joseph Mbeh, Kamar De Los Reyes, Kenya Bradix, Khaliah Ali, Little Louie Vega, Lucho Concepcion, Luis Guzman, Marianela Gonzalez, Marissa Gonzalez, Mark Rosner, Mathew “Mateo” Rajkumar, Melissa Chung, Miriam Colon, Murray Richman, Pablo Diaz, Ralph Mercado III, Ray Wong, Ricardo Cardona, Robert Vazquez, Solange Osorio, Stephanie Carrera, Steve Cox, Tedsmooth, Vic Latino, Victor Martinez and William Pla
