Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.
In today’s episode, we’re joined by John Rivera, the founder of the Cristian Rivera Foundation. John’s journey from a successful music career to becoming a dedicated advocate for children battling rare cancers is truly inspiring. After the heartbreaking loss of his son, Cristian, to a DIPG tumor in 2009, John channeled his grief into action, creating a foundation committed to raising awareness and funding for this devastating disease.
In this episode, we’ll dive into John’s personal story, the mission behind the Cristian Rivera Foundation, and the impact it’s making on families affected by DIPG. We’ll also explore the challenges of raising funds for rare diseases and how compassion drives John’s leadership.
ABOUT GUEST:
John “Gungie” Rivera built a thriving career in entertainment, from DJing in the ‘80s to owning nightclubs, running major concert promotions, and leading marketing initiatives. However, his most important work began after losing his six-year-old son, Cristian, to a rare brain stem tumor, DIPG.
Determined to find a cure, Rivera founded the Cristian Rivera Foundation, assembling a high-profile team to drive research and awareness. His foundation has since become a leading force in the fight against DIPG, funding groundbreaking medical advancements and providing support for affected families.
In 2018, he honored his son’s legacy with Cristian’s Journey, a children’s book spreading messages of love and resilience. Through his foundation, Rivera remains committed to changing lives and finding a cure for DIPG.
KEY NOTES:
The Inspiring Legacy of Cristian Rivera: Turning Tragedy into Action The Fight Against DIPG: Why Rare Diseases Deserve More Attention How Compassion Shapes Leadership and Builds Community Support Raising Awareness for Rare Diseases: The Power of Advocacy and Fundraising The Road to a Cure: What’s Next for the Cristian Rivera Foundation
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Episode Trailer 02:05 - Intro 03:33 - Turning Pain into Purpose: The Story Behind the Cristian Rivera Foundation 06:44 - From Grief to Purpose: How Do Parents Navigate the Hardest Journey? 09:28 - Fighting for a Cure: What is DIPG Tumor and How Do You Raise Awareness for a Rare Disease? 13:40 - From Awareness to Action: Is Fundraising Changing the Future of This Tumor? 20:59 - From Research to Reality: How Near Is the Cure? 21:53 - What’s the Price of a Cure? Breaking Down Fundraising Targets 24:60 - No Support, No Synergy: Why the Fight Against Rare Diseases Is Left to Private Efforts 29:57 - The Ultimate Goal: What Does Success Look Like in the Fight for a Cure? 31:58 - Beyond Funding: What Other Obstacles Stand in the Way of a Cure? 35:34 - The Power of Compassion: How It Builds Communities and Inspires Action 43:46 - How Can We Follow Work of Cristian Rivera Foundation and Make a Change? 45:50 - One Key Takeaway for the Audience 47:28 - Outro
THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:
Cristian Rivera Foundation: https://cristianriverafoundation.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cristianriverafoundation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristianriverafoundation/ x.com: https://x.com/tweetcrf Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cristian-rivera-foundation/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChP6cUjvtwhF70KwHQRJ91g Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cristianriverafoundation
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