12th Annual Cristian Rivera Foundation Celebrity Gala

130 Bowery,New York NY 10013

17 November, 2021

Description

Join us for a celebration of love while fundraising for research for the rare pediatric brain tumor, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) DIPG is a rare brain tumor that affects 200-300 children in the U.S. each year. After diagnosis, these children are given only 3-9 months to live. The Cristian Rivera Foundation seeks to change that by funding pioneering research and clinical trials and supporting children and families who are facing a DIPG diagnosis. Our celebrity gala is our largest fundraising vehicle each year. It is an evening filled with high profile attendees, moving stories and testimonials from DIPG families, inspirational performances, and unique items and experiences to be auctioned off - all for a great cause. After a season of waiting, we’re ready to celebrate and raise money once again toward DIPG research and helping children and families in need. Our high-profile attendees in the past have included Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson, actress Rosie Perez, actor Luis Guzman, actress Annabella Sciorra, actor Vincent Young, Mets Hall of Famer Doc Gooden, The Village People, actor Malik Yoba, actor Ramon Rodriguez, actor Joey Donofrio, Today in New York co-anchor Darlene Rodriguez, former New York Knicks All-Stars Anthony Mason and John Starks, Geno Smith, actress Abigail Breslin, The Entire Cast of Real Housewives of New Jersey, castmates of both Mob Wives and Love and Hip Hop New York, and many more. Our honorees for the evening will be Gio Urshela of the Yankees with the 2021 Cristian Rivera Foundation Heroes Award; Dr. Jeffrey P. Greenfield of Weill Cornell Brain and Spine with the 2021 Vision of Hope Award; Francesco Quattrone of Supermarket Italy with the 2021 Outstanding Service and Dedication Award; Jace Ward DIPG Angel and Advocate with the 2021 Golden Wings Honor. The Cristian Rivera Foundation started after 4-year-old Cristian was diagnosed with DIPG and fought for 2 years before passing away to this horrible disease. His father John "Gungie" Rivera formed the Cristian Rivera Foundation in honor of his son and started a mission towards finding a cure so no other family had to experience what he did. We hope you will join us for a night of love and hope to spread DIPG awareness and save children’s lives. The Cristian Rivera Foundation is a 501 © non-profit organization with the mission of increasing public awareness of DIPG, as well as raise funds that will provide financial support to families and medical facilities that conduct innovative research and clinical trials. Our foundation funds the work of Dr. Mark Souweidane, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery of Weill Cornell Medical Center – Memorial Sloane (Kettering) Cancer Center and Dr. Oren Becher of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern. Our tireless efforts have given hope to a handful of children, who have been selected to participate in the clinical trials supported by the Cristian Rivera Foundation.  One of those children, Lisha Ayala, has seen no growth in her tumor and has responded well to Dr. Souweidane’s clinical trials.  Lisha has lived with DIPG for 5 years, showing us that our work and dedication are paying off.  To date, the Cristian Rivera Foundation has donated more than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) to the respective doctors, as their work remains at the forefront of DIPG research. As a result of our hard work, The Cristian Rivera Foundation was awarded a Platinum Seal on GuideStar.org. GuideStar.org is the non-profit industry leader in analysis and public information and issues their rating based on transparency and the positive activity conducted in the non-profit community. Not only does our foundation have a Platinum Seal on GuideStar.org, The Cristian Rivera is also the recipient of the 2018 Top-Rated Great Nonprofits Award from Great Nonprofits. As you can see, our foundation takes pride in the work we do and we’re honored to have received such prestigious awards. But we need your help to continue this amazing work.