Notable names from television, restaurants, radio and sports have been seen wearing the new Cristian Rivera Foundation bracelet, which debuted at the Third Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Gala on Monday September 12. Inspired and designed by Cristian's Mommy Jenelle Asencio, each brown beaded bracelet features the Cristian Rivera Foundation logo in your choice of a bronze or silver charm. The bracelet received a great reception upon its debut and has already seen on the wrist of New York Yankee greats CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez, as well as Hot 97's Angie Martinez, Danielle Staub of The Real Housewives of New Jersey and celebrity chefs Ricardo Cardona and Alex Garcia, both of whom are committee members of the Cristian Rivera Foundation.
Visit http://cristianriverafoundation.org/shop.html to order yours today.

On Sunday, January 25th 2009, I lost my son Cristian to Pontine Glioma, a rare form of brain cancer that has no cure. On Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 I had another painful loss. I lost my partner, my mentor, my friend, my brother and my second father: Ralph Mercado. He was the only person in my life who could truly wear all those different hats. Ralph was more than an inspiration. He made such an impact on my life in the past, and will continue to do so in the future. Today marks three years since that fateful day. I can still remember it as if it were yesterday; I can still feel the pain that the news of losing such an important person in my life brought me.

Ralph was the reason I decided to pursue a career in the Latin entertainment business. He provided me with the inspiration I had been seeking. With Ralph I co-produced seven successful years of tropical music concerts at Madison Square Garden. It was because of Ralph that I decided to open up my own music label, Prestigio Recordings/Sony Discos. He advised me against it, but I didn't listen. To date, it was the worst investment I have ever made. I should have listened.

There were people who were scared of Ralph. They had this perception that he was this impenetrable force to be reckoned with, and he was. However, I knew the other side of. I saw what others didn't. He was caring and he had a gentle soul. He would always call me to set up meetings for one reason or another, and most of the time we would just end up drinking wine and talking about life. We would never really cover any ground on what the meeting had initially been about. It didn't matter. I enjoyed every minute of it and learned so much about love, life and business from our conversations. There was no better teacher I could have had than the self-made impresario of Latin music who I had the great privilege of calling my friend. I can close my eyes and go back to December 2008 when Ralph had been released from the hospital for a short while. I remember going to visit him and his son Ralph Mercado III was so amazed at how his father reacted when he saw me. When Ralph saw me he smiled and requested that I take off my coat. All he kept asking about was the baby (my son Cristian), who was in very bad condition at that time. That was the kind of man he was. Even while he was lying sick in bed, he would still think of others. He was the kind of man who always showed me love and inspired me every day. I am blessed and privileged to have him in my life.

That day, before I left, I kissed and embraced him. He was my family, my partner; words would fall short to describe the impact that he had on my life. I feel so happy that I was able to share that day with him and see him smile before he passed. Today I feel honored to have the pleasure calling his son Ralph Mercado III my partner and friend. Together we will continue to work and fulfill the legacy his father left behind. It eases my pain a bit to know that my son is with someone I hold so close to my heart. I am sure Ralph is in Heaven discussing the production of Thomas the Train events with Cristian. I know their legacies will continue to live on here on Earth, in Heaven and in all of our hearts.

Thanks to overwhelming ticket sales, live and silent auction purchases, and donations associated with this year’s Third Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Gala, John “Gungie” Rivera was proud to present Dr. Mark Souweidane with a check for $100,000 at the star-studded event.

John was joined on stage by all of the Cristian Rivera Foundation committee members in attendance - including former Bronx Borough President and mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer, celebrity chef Alex Garcia, actress and founder of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre Miriam Colon, celebrity chef Ricardo Cardona, legendary producer John “Jellybean” Benitez, former New York Knicks all-star Anthony Mason, La Mega’s JI Starr, concert impresario Ralph Mercado III, interior decorator Solange Osorio and professional body builder Victor Martinez - or this historic moment.

The event was held at the newly re-launched Copacabana Supper Club and Event Space in Times Square and hosted by Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson and award-winning actor Luis Guzman, both committee members of the Cristian Rivera Foundation. It featured a 30-minute band set by legendary pop/Latin singer Brenda K. Starr and food provided by Celebrity Chefs Ricardo Cardona and Alex Garcia. Among the night’s esteemed guests were Danielle Staub of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, comedian Ruperto Vanderpool, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., New York City Comptroller John Liu, Dangerous Minds actor Renaly Santiago and, of course, Dr. Souweidane, the Director of the Weill Cornell Pediatric Brain and Spine Center who took this opportunity to announce that his one-of-a-kind novel delivery system has gotten approval from the FDA and clinical trials will start in a few weeks.

You can still help the Cristian Rivera Foundation raise money for Dr. Souweidane’s exciting and important work. Visit www.cristianriverafoundation.org to make a donation, or to purchase signature foundation t-shirts or one of our three styles of wristbands. All money raised goes directly to Dr. Souweidane and his team, and every donation, big or small, helps us get closer to our goal of curing DIPG forever. For photos of the Third Annual Cristian Rivera Foundaiton Gala, visit www.cristianriverafoundation.org/gala3 or www.facebook.com/cristianriverafoundation.

Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee member, Jay Hernandez, was scoring goals on the west coast at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. He and fellow San Jose Earthquakes teammate, Bobby Burling, spent time with the patients there while teaming with MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the Starlight Children's Foundation to introduce new gaming consoles being installed in the hospital. Jay proudly wore his Cristian Rivera Foundation wristband and referenced its founder, John "Gungie" Rivera, when telling about his inspiration for being involved with the children; "One thing I have experienced that maybe most guys haven't is that I have a close friend of mine whose son passed away prematurely of childhood cancer, so any opportunity I get to contribute to do this kind of work hits close to home," he said.

Jay and Bobby signed autographs and played games with the children, which was a wonderful distraction for one day that will surely leave a lasting impression on them. Thankfully, these children now have fun and challenging video games to play that will help them enjoy their childhood every day.

Hello world! My name is Cristian. I had diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, it's a tumor in the brain stem, my daddy fought so very hard for me, with me, stood by my side while I was asleep, talking to me, holding my hand, he told me he loves me more than any dad can, just love couldn't ease my pain, so I was called on, and I am with the first five letters of my name. Although I am only 7 god had a place for me in heaven, he's the best doctor of medicine, I'm strong, I can run really fast, me and the kids here play all day, it's lots of fun and games, dad I'm really the conductor of my very own toy train! I still watch JJ the Jet Plane, and Caiou, I know how bad you wish I can watch it with you, so do I, daddy I'm watching you closely, just up here in the sky, the kids are calling me now I gotta go, I just want to say bye dad see you in your dreams, I love you... Choooo choooooooo

By Infinite the Poet A.K.A. Al Carrasco

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