The Cristian Rivera Foundation would like to wish all of our loved ones and supporters a Happy Valentine's Day. DIPG has taught us how important it is to appreciate those we love, so let us all spend today with the ones we hold dearest to our hearts. Together we will work tirelessly so that one day we’ll be able to find DIPG’s cure.

On January 25, 2009, the world lost a smart, brave and all-around remarkable 6-year-old boy named Cristian Rivera as his two-year battle with DIPG came to an end. Three years later, we remember Cristian on the anniversary of the day he earned his wings and went to Heaven. Cristian is loved and missed dearly by his father John "Gungie" Rivera, his mother Jenelle Asencio, his big brother JC, his sister Brittnee Hudson, the rest of his friends and family and everyone at The Cristian Rivera Foundation. Throughout his illness, Cristian remained positive and never let the cancer get the best of him. Though his life was cut tragically short, Cristian made an everlasting impression with his affection, loyalty and good sense of humor. His legacy will never be forgotten as we work tirelessly in his name to find a cure for the disease that took his young life.

"Moms for Mikey" Auction Winners, Robert and Dana MacNaughton with Celebrity Chef and Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member Ricardo Cardona

The Cristian Rivera Foundation, along with Committee Member and Celebrity Chef Ricardo Cardona, donated an event package that was auctioned at the Mikey Czech Foundation's annual fundraiser gala, "Moms for Mikey," on Saturday November 19, 2011 at The Woodway Country Club, Darien, CT.

Robert and Dana MacNaughton bid a winning $7,500 for Chef Cardona to personally cater a meal for 8 people, including food, liquor and servers. They invited three couples over a delicious meal of miso sea bass, churrasco and traditional steak accompanied by lobster salad. For dessert, Chef Cardona impressed the guests with chocolate cake, apple empanadas and flan. "The dinner was phenomenal and unbelievably delicious," said Mrs. MacNaughton, who noted that while she and her husband have visited some of the best restaurants in the world, they were absolutely stunned by Chef Ricardo Cardona's amazing recipes. "Everybody called back next day and complemented the food and expressed their gratitude for such a delicious dinner."

This was Mr. MacNaughton's second year attending the event and the first for his wife. Though they don't personally know a child with DIPG, the MacNaughton's 4 ½-year-old son Stewart was diagnosed with Medullo Blastoma two years ago. They feel that children with cancer don't receive enough funding for treatment and wanted to help with their generous $7,500 bid.

"It was a very unique, almost one in a lifetime opportunity," said Mrs. MacNaughton. "If the same prize is offered again next year, I would do it again and definitely recommend it to everybody."

Samuel Tyler Kidd

Monday January, 9 2012 was a sad day for the entire DIPG community as Heaven gained another DIPG Angel. Eleven-year-old Samuel Tyler Kidd lost his battle with DIPG at 9:30 that morning. His parents, Mark and Mindy, will always remember him as vibrant, fun-loving, caring little boy. He had a huge heart of pure gold and always smiled no matter what. Tyler put up a brave fight against DIPG and was an example of incredible courage and strength. The Cristian Rivera Foundation extends our sincerest sympathy and condolences at what is surely an unimaginably difficult time for Tyler's family and friends. Samuel Tyler Kidd will always stay in our thoughts and prayers.

Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member Solange Osorio

As founder of the Cristian Rivera Foundation, I would like to take a moment to express my sincerest gratitude to one of our most active and dedicated committee members, Solange Osorio. Solange has been a committee member basically since the foundation began and even though she has never had or lost a child to DIPG, she has shown more devotion to finding a cure and comforting and helping DIPG families than anyone I know. She selflessly dedicates time from her busy schedule every week and has even put her education second to the needs of the DIPG community. She volunteers at every Cristian Rivera Foundation event, attends many other DIPG events, and has provided the décor for every Cristian Rivera Foundation Gala, even going so far as to skip shopping for her outfit to the Third Gala just to make sure that everything was running smoothly. Solange has shown amazing compassion towards DIPG families and has been the communicator between the foundation and the DIPG community. I communicate with the doctors and certain foundations, and she deals with everyone else. She always remembers to send a Christmas card to a DIPG family, an email to find out how a sick child is doing, a message of encouragement in tough times, an acknowledgment of DIPG Angel anniversaries and everything in between. She is well-known within the DIPG community for the kindheartedness and care she puts into every interaction. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for being my friend and standing by me in my quest to rid the world of DIPG. For this and so much more, I Love Her.

Javier "Buji" Villamil

Wednesday, January 4, 2012 marked two years since DIPG took the life of an amazing young boy named Javier "Buji" Villamil. During his short life, Buji was a great athlete who loved sports, George Lopez, iCarly and Scooby Snacks fruit snacks. He earned his wings a few months shy of his 12th birthday and will forever be missed by his family—including his mom Rosemary Lora, dad Gabriel Villamil and aunt Fulvia Lora, a committee member with the Cristian Rivera Foundation—as well as his friends and everyone who has had the pleasure to meet him. We at the Cristian Rivera Foundation are keeping Buji and his family in our thoughts and prayers on this difficult anniversary.

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.

 A group of paintballers came together in Queens on Saturday with a mission to remember a little boy who lost his life to a rare illness.

Cristian Rivera died in 2009 from pontine glioma, a brain stem tumor which strikes up to 300 children per year in North America and has no cure.

The foundation named in Rivera’s honor held a paintball tournament to raise money to fight the disease in Long Island City.

“We do six to seven annual events a year and the goal is to try to raise funds for the clinical trials, awareness, and support families who are currently dealing with the disease,” Ridgewood resident Ralph Mercado said.

Eleven teams raised more $4,000.

The Cristian Rivera Foundation gathered supporters, Committee Members and paintball lovers alike for the foundation's First Annual Paintball Tournament. Teams competed from 8am to 12 noon at NYC Paintball in Long Island City on Saturday December 3. It was a morning filled with high-energy but good-spirited competition. The main goal was not to win—though victory was certainly sweet for winners Team AVS. The true goal of the day was to raise money toward finding a cure for DIPG, a rare, inoperable brain stem tumor that takes the lives of 200 children in the United States each year. All of the proceeds from the First Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Paintball Tournament went toward that goal. If you missed this amazing event, visit www.cristianriverafoundation.org where new events are being announced all the time. You can also use that link to make a donation and help find a cure for DIPG.

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.

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.

Today, Tuesday November 22, 2011, marks what would have been Faith Sonia Griffin’s 9th birthday. Sadly, Faith is not here with us to celebrate her big day. After fighting bravely against DIPG for approximately 13 months, Faith earned her wings on November 2, 2008. Faith, her parents Charles and Sonia, and her younger brother Elijah are in our hearts and our thoughts today.

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