An Interview With John Rivera, Founder, Cristian Rivera Foundation

By Heather Fletcher

FS: What are the biggest challenges your organization faces as far as fundraising is concerned? How do you overcome them?
JR: The biggest barrier to getting donations is the fact that Pontine Glioma is a rare and little-known disease. Since only 300 children are diagnosed with Pontine Glioma every year, it’s a very close-knit community of affected families, and unless a friend, family member or acquaintance is afflicted with the disease, the likelihood is that a person will have never heard of it. The Cristian Rivera Foundation combats this with a multitiered awareness campaign. A billboard on Manhattan’s West Side Highway was aimed at alerting people to the disease and the foundation. The foundation also distributes literature to teach about the disease, including newsletters, business cards and a ... press kit. Donation recipient Dr. Mark Souweidane was present at the foundation’s recent fundraiser gala to talk to guests about the disease and explain to them exactly what it does to an afflicted child and [his] family.