Cristian Rivera Foundation Honors Gala Supports DIPG Research
The 17th annual celebrity gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City raised funds for DIPG clinical trials, medical research and family support.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Philanthropy
The Cristian Rivera Foundation held its 17th Annual Celebrity Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on November 10. The event, hosted by Kenan Thompson and Luis Guzman, aimed to fund clinical trials, medical research and family support for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
Why it matters
DIPG is a rare and fatal pediatric brain tumor for which treatment options remain extremely limited. The gala's proceeds are directed to research programs at major New York medical institutions aimed at finding better outcomes for patients and families.
The foundation has donated more than $4 million toward DIPG research and family support, including a $365,000 gift to Weill Cornell Medicine, its largest single donation. The gala's fundraising total for the November 10 event was not reported in the source material.
The players
Cristian Rivera Foundation
A New Jersey-based nonprofit founded in 2009 by John Rivera after his son died of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, supporting DIPG research and families affected by the disease.
Kenan Thompson
An actor and comedian best known as a longtime cast member of NBC's Saturday Night Live, who served as a gala host.
Luis Guzman
An actor known for films such as Boogie Nights and Traffic, who was named among the gala's hosts.
The details
The gala's program included a red-carpet reception, dinner, awards ceremony, live and silent auctions, and a video presentation. Proceeds support research led by Dr. Mark Souweidane at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, and research by Dr. Oren Becher at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital.
Timeline
January 22, 2007: Cristian Rivera, then four years old, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
January 25, 2009: Cristian Rivera died after fighting DIPG for two years.
2009: His father, John Rivera, established the Cristian Rivera Foundation.
January 2026: The foundation announced a $365,000 donation to Weill Cornell Medicine.
November 10, 2026: The 17th Annual Celebrity Gala was held at Cipriani Wall Street.
Philanthropy Landscape
DIPG patients have a typical survival of about two years, a figure that has changed little over decades, which is why private foundations like the Cristian Rivera Foundation have funded clinical trials that public research budgets often leave uncovered. The foundation's more than $4 million in cumulative giving places it among the dedicated private funders working on this rare pediatric cancer.
Readers who want to support DIPG research can contribute to the Cristian Rivera Foundation or to the institutions named in the gala's funding. Donations to pediatric cancer research can help fund clinical trials that may improve treatment options for children diagnosed with the disease.
The takeaway
Private philanthropy has become a meaningful source of funding for rare pediatric cancers, where public research budgets have historically been limited. Support for DIPG research can help close the gap between a grim survival outlook and the clinical trials needed to change it.
Further reading
For more on giving to medical causes, explore Philanthropy coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
