Kenan Thompson Presents $360,000 Donation

KENAN THOMPSON PRESENTS A $360,000 DONATION ON BEHALF OF THE CRISTIAN RIVERA FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT DIPG RESEARCH AT WEILL CORNELL MEDICINE
On the evening of January 14, the Cristian Rivera Foundation (CRF) proudly demonstrated its continued commitment to advancing critical research and supporting families impacted by Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and aggressive pediatric brain cancer. CRF Board Member, actor, and comedian Kenan Thompson presented Dr. Mark Souweidane with a $360,000 check to support his innovative research into treatments for children with DIPG after an inspiring event held at the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
This significant contribution highlights the Cristian Rivera Foundation’s mission to fuel transformative research while providing crucial assistance to affected families. In 2024 alone, CRF distributed over $500,000 in funding to medical partners and families, bringing its total contributions to more than $3.5 million since the foundation’s inception.
“In memory of my son, Cristian, I’m proud to say that we are making incredible strides in the fight to cure DIPG,” said John Gungie Rivera, Founder and President of the Cristian Rivera Foundation. “This is the largest single donation we have been able to make to Dr. Souweidane’s research, which demonstrates the power of our donor community and our unwavering dedication to his great work.”
Dr. Mark Souweidane, a renowned expert in pediatric neurosurgery and a leader in DIPG research, expressed his gratitude for the funding, which will accelerate vital studies aimed at improving outcomes for children facing this devastating diagnosis.
The check presentation served as a reminder of the importance of uniting the community to bring hope to families impacted by pediatric diseases. The Cristian Rivera Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries and to provide tangible support for families navigating unimaginable challenges.
The funding was raised predominantly at the Annual Cristian Rivera Celebrity Gala held at Cipriani Wall Street on November 12th. The next fundraiser planned for the nonprofit is a 5K on June 21st at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. To participate or support the event visit https://cristianriverafoundation.org/crf5k/.
For more information about the Cristian Rivera Foundation, its initiatives, or how you can get involved, please visit https://cristianriverafoundation.org.
About the Cristian Rivera Foundation:
The Cristian Rivera Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) and supporting families affected by this devastating disease. Through collaboration with leading medical institutions and a commitment to funding groundbreaking research, CRF strives to improve outcomes and inspire hope for children battling this rare, universally fatal pediatric brain cancer.