Happy Holidays from the Cristian Rivera Foundation

 

We at the Cristian Rivera Foundation extend the warmest of holiday greetings to our friends, family and supporters. Thank you for the generosity and care you've shown throughout the year, whether it be through making donations, attending our events, or even just wearing our wristband every day and educating your loved ones about our cause. You have made an amazing contribution to the fight against DIPG and we look forward to taking the fight even further in 2012. We would also like to extend a special greeting to all of the brave DIPG families. Whether your child has already earned their wings or your family is still in the midst of this devastating struggle, we want to thank you for inspiring us and showing us all the true meaning of love, bravery and courage. You are all in our thoughts this holiday season.

The Cristian Rivera Foundation Helps Raise Over $7500.00 for DIPG Research

Pictured Above From Left to Right:Cristian Rivera Foundation Founder John "Gungie" Rivera, Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member Chef Ricardo Cardona, Founder of the Mikey Czech Foundation Steve Czech, and The Winner of The Auction

The Cristian Rivera Foundation and Committee Member and Celebrity Chef Ricardo Cardona helped raise over $7500 at the 4th Annual "Moms for Mikey" event, held at The Woodway Country Club in Darien, CT in memory of DIPG Angel Mikey Czech. The Cristian Rivera Foundation donated an event package with Chef Cardona that was auctioned at the fundraiser gala on Saturday November 19. The lucky winner bid $7500 to have Chef Cardona come to their home and cook for 10 people. One server, food and wine was included in the winning bid. The Cristian Rivera Foundation also donated a baseball autographed by New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, which was auctioned off as part of a gift basket. We are proud of the work being done by the Mikey Czech Foundation and are happy to help in whatever way we can, so that together one day we can rid the world of DIPG once and for all.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Cristian Rivera Foundation

The Cristian Rivera Foundation would like to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. DIPG has taught us how important it is to appreciate those we love and we give thanks for those who are with us, as well as those who have gone on to Heaven, at this joyous time of year. Together we will work tirelessly so that one day we'll be able to give thanks for DIPG's cure as well.

John "Gungie" Rivera and Kenan Thompson's Interviewed on Visiones

Monthly Newsletter September 2011

Greetings from the Cristian Rivera Foundation.
Welcome to the September newsletter. It’s an exciting time at the Cristian Rivera Foundation. Our Third Annual Gala is all set for Monday September 12 from 6pm to 10pm at the Copacabana Supper Club and Event Space. So many great things are scheduled for the event, starting with a cocktail hour and red carpet arrivals for our esteemed committee members and celebrity guests. Committee member Kenan Thompson of Saturday Night Live and Nickelodeon is hosting along with fellow committee member and award-winning actor Luis Guzman. Dinner will be provided by the Copacabana, as well as our generous committee members Alex Garcia and Ricardo Cardona. There will be awards presentations, music and dancing, and a 30-minute band set from Brenda K. Starr, whose long list of hits includes “I Still Believe,”  “What You See is What You Get” and chart-topping Latin Tropical/Salsa hit “Herida.”

Of course you’ll also want to check out the amazing live and silent auction items that will be available at the gala. Among them are an autographed photo of Muhammad Ali holding the Olympic Torch, a bat used by New York Yankees star A-Rod, and autographed merchandise from Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets, New York Yankee Derek Jeter, NBA legend Michael Jordan, former New York Met Darryl Strawberry, legendary actress Marilyn Monroe and many more. Plus we’ll be offering one-of-a-kind experiences like home-cooked dinners provided by celebrity chefs Alex Garcia and Ricardo Cardona; a Marc Anthony dream package that includes an autographed guitar, Marc Anthony CD collection, a rare photo taken by Danny Hastings and signed by Marc Anthony, and four tickets to his next New York-area concert; a Jay-Z package that includes a hard-to-get pair of tickets for the Watch the Throne tour with Kanye West valued at $2,000, plus an autographed Jay-Z photo and a party at Jay-Z’s 40/40, including food and liquor, in the VIP room; an I Love NY Sports Team package that includes a baseball and photo signed by Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees, a photo signed by Eli Manning of the New York Giants and a helmet from football legend “Broadway Joe” Namath; a night on the town that includes two tickets to a Broadway show, dinner at the Copacabana Supper Club and a stay at the popular Sanctuary Hotel; and an exclusive package from the W Hotel Hoboken that includes a weekend stay, dinner at Zylo and a complimentary bottle at the Chandelier Room.

All money raised from auction items and ticket sales will go to Dr. Mark Souweidane, the Director of the Pediatric Brain and Spine Center at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Souweidane has conducted pioneering research and will serve as the Principal Investigator on an innovative clinical trial that will be the first of its kind. The trial was recently cleared by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and is now expected to begin at any time. For the latest on Dr. Souweidane and his team, visit his Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/WeillCornellPediatricBrainandSpine.
To make sure you don’t miss out on this amazing event, go tocristianriverafoundation.org/events.html today and purchase your ticket. Your attendance will mean the world to the Cristian Rivera Foundation as we not only celebrate the life of Cristian Rivera but also do our part to fund the promising research that will one day cure DIPG forever.

Among those who will be joining us at the Third Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Gala are our two newest committee members, Anthony Bastone and Rickie Ricardo.

Anthony Bastone is the owner of some of the Bronx’s most popular restaurants, including The Pine Bar and Grill and Frankie & Johnnie’s.

Rickie Ricardo is a 30-year radio industry veteran and inductee into the New York City Radio Hall of Fame. He is in his fourth season with the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast crew at SBN Philadelphia.


Make sure you visit our website,www.cristianriverafoundation.org, often for all of the latest updates on this month’s exciting event. Also make sure to follow us on Twitter @tweetcrf and join our Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/cristianriverafoundation.

We hope to see you all at the Third Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Gala. Tickets are going fast so log on to cristianriverafoundation.org/events.html today to buy your tickets. Even if you are unable to attend, please make a donation at cristianriverafoundation.org/donation.html and help support our fight against DIPG. Any donation, big or small, brings us closer to our goal of curing DIPG forever.

Full Steam Ahead!

Sincerely,

Cristian's Mommy Jenelle Asencio, 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 Bastone, Anthony Mason, Camilo, Carlos Keyes, David Maldonado, Doug E. Fresh, Dr. Bear Walker, Dr. Ben Velazquez, Edward Caban, Elis Pacheco, Fernando Ferrer, Fulvia Lora, Funkmaster Flex, Hamlet Peralta, J.I. Starr, James R. Cotto, Jay Hernandez, Jeff Lavino, Jerry Chaparro, Jim Jones, Jimmy Rodriguez, John "Jelly Bean" Benitez, Johnny Nuñez, Jose Alberto "El Canario", Joseph Mbeh, Kamar De Los Reyes, Katie DeFlorio, Kenan Thompson, Khaliah Ali, Little Louie Vega, Luis Guzman, Manuel Alejandro Ruiz (Boy Wonder), 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, Rickie Ricardo, Robert Vazquez, Ruben Sierra, Solange Osorio, Steve Cox, Tedsmooth, Tony Ferrara, Victor Martinez, Vito Bruno, William Pla

Tickets for the Third Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Gala Are Going Fast!!!

Show your support for the Cristian Rivera Foundation by attending the Third Annual Crisitian Rivera Foundation Gala on Monday, September 12, 2011 from 6pm to 10pm at the Copacabana Supper Club- located in Times Square at 268 W. 47th St. between Broadway and 8th Avenue. 

The Gala will be hosted by Saturday Night Live and Nickelodeon Star and Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member Kenan Thompson and award winning actor Luis Guzmán.

There will be red carpet arrivals for our esteemed committee members and high-profile guests.  A cocktail hour, followed by dinner with unlimited food and drinks provided by some of New York’s finest restaurants as well as a live and silent auction.Cocktail attire required.

For more developments on the Third Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Gala, including additional hosts, entertainment and live and silent auction items, please continue to check this event, as it will be updated often.

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF CRISTIAN RIVERA AND IN OUR QUEST TO FIND A CURE FOR DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA (DIPG).

Your attendance will mean the world to the Cristian Rivera Foundation and will help save the lives of children suffering from Pontine Glioma.

All proceeds from your ticket purchase go toward finding a cure for Pontine Glioma.
Click here to buy your ticket today.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GALA SPONOSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRAM ADVERTISEMENTS 

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.

Support the Cristian Rivera Foundation at the 4th Annual Walk for Health Walk-a-Thon

Time to bust out those walking shoes …the 4th Annual Walk for Health Walk-a-Thon PONTE-EN-FORMA is coming to Roberto Clemente State Park on Sunday April 17th from 10am-2pm. Every year, event sponsors the Diversity Foundation and The National Puerto Rican Parade choose charitable causes important to the community to benefit from the money raised. This year, they'e chosen the Cristian Rivera Foundation. As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to sign up, the Cristian Rivera Foundation also offers a series of walk-a-thon packages including signature foundation wristbands and t-shirts, as well as $25 gift certificates to Hudson River Café and Havana Café.

Walk-A-Thon Registration

$10 Registration $10.00 $20 Registration $20.00 $30 Registration $30.00 $40 Registration $40.00 $50 Registration $50.00 $100 Registration $100.00

Click here to see all of the available packages and to register for this five-mile walk. It’s a great workout for a great cause with some great gifts, so sign up today and we’ll see you there! Even if you can’t make it, you can still donate to the Cristian Rivera Foundation.

For more information, call 212-779-2222.