BERTO COLÓN JOINS THE CRISTIAN RIVERA FOUNDATION BOARD

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cristian Rivera Foundation (CRF) is proud to announce the appointment of actor Berto Colón to its board. 

"Berto's passion for making a difference perfectly aligns with our mission to raise awareness and support families affected by Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)," said John "Gungie" Rivera, Founder of the Cristian Rivera Foundation. "We are thrilled to have Berto join our efforts to create positive change and further the search for a cure." 

Known for his roles in hit series such as Orange is the New Black (2013), The Penguin (2024), and Power Book II: Ghost (2020), Colón brings his commitment to making a meaningful impact on CRF's mission. His latest project, Night Agent Season 2, premiered on Netflix on January 23, 2025, and has quickly become a global sensation. 

"One can only marvel at the strength and commitment of John "Gungie" Rivera to carry on his son Cristian's legacy," said Mr. Colon. "His dedication to finding a cure for DIPG, the disease that claimed his son Cristian's life, is deeply admirable. I grew up in the Bronx with DJ John "Gungie" Rivera's music and events. I wasn't aware of his tragic loss until reconnecting years later as an adult. From that moment, I wanted to be part of his mission, too, to help find a cure for this terrible disease that affects the lives of innocent children. As a father and a husband, I couldn't fathom the idea of such loss. The Cristian Rivera Foundation is paving the way so that this tragic disease never impacts other children or their families."

CRF's Chairwoman, Melinda Colon Cox, said, "When speaking with Berto, he projects such determination to make a difference, and that is what we look for when adding someone to our prestigious board." 

Colón joins an esteemed group of actors, media personalities, and sports figures on the CRF Board, including Kenan Thompson, known as Saturday Night Live's longest-tenured cast member, actor Luis Guzmán, actor and entrepreneur Malik Yoba, Darlene Rodriguez, anchor of NBC's Today in New York, media personality A.J. Calloway, and MLB player Gio Urshela.

ABOUT THE CRISTIAN RIVERA FOUNDATION

The Cristian Rivera Foundation's mission is to create a world without diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) by funding research for a cure, spreading awareness, and providing family support. After the devastating loss of his son Cristian to DIPG, John "Gungie" Rivera was inspired to establish the Cristian Rivera Foundation, a New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, in 2009. 

Today, the foundation's funding has contributed over 3.5 million dollars to groundbreaking research and family support. Thanks to CRF there has been significant progress in the fight against DIPG, with three children responding well to clinical trials led by Dr. Mark Souweidane at Weill Cornell Medical Center. These promising outcomes offer hope to the medical community and families impacted by DIPG. Additionally, the foundation supports genetic research by Dr. Oren Becher at Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital. 

The Cristian Rivera Foundation pursues its mission through fundraising events, monthly newsletters, media outreach, and other initiatives to educate and enlighten the community about DIPG and its devastating impact on children and families. 

The foundation also serves as a vital resource, providing support, information, and financial assistance to families affected by DIPG. By working closely with these families, the foundation helps them navigate the challenges of this difficult journey, offering the tools and guidance needed to cope with this devastating disease.

SOURCE Cristian Rivera Foundation