The Cristian Rivera Foundation 16th Annual Celebrity Gala.

NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2025 — Cristian Rivera Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (D.I.P.G.), is thrilled to announce its 16th Annual Celebrity Gala. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Cipriani Wall Street.

Platinum sponsors include Maestro Cares Foundation and RMM Group. Gold sponsors are Goya, Patrick B Jenkins & Associates, My Tax Fella, and AVYXA. Bronze sponsors include Koeppel Kares and the Bronx Care Health System.

The evening will be hosted by beloved CRF celebrity board members Kenan Thompson, actor and Saturday Night Live's longest-tenured cast member; Darlene Rodriguez, anchor of NBC's Today; Luis Guzmán, acclaimed film and television actor whose recent work includes the Netflix series Wednesday; and Malik Yoba, actor and entrepreneur.

Additional board members in attendance will include actor Berto Colon, John "Jellybean" Benitez, Sean Ringgold, renowned miniature artist Danny Cortes, NABO Super Middleweight Boxing Champion Edgar Berlanga, MLB player Gio Urshela, and media personality AJ Calloway.

This year's honorees include Brandon, Kyle, Ryan, and Casey Lutnick of the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, recipients of the Corporate Philanthropic Leadership Award; New York Yankees' Oswaldo Cabrera, as recipient of the CRF Heroes Award; Dr. John Boockvar, Vice Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and star of the Netflix Series, Lenox Hill, receiving the Vision of Hope Award; CRF Board Member and NABO Super Middleweight Professional Boxing Champion Edgar Berlanga, awarded the Service and Dedication Award; and D.I.P.G. Warrior Emiliano Bermejo, who will receive the CRF Warrior Award.

Bringing together celebrities, supporters, and D.I.P.G. warriors, the evening promises compassion, inspiration, and impact. The evening will begin with a red-carpet reception and cocktail hour from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., followed by a seated dinner at 8:30 p.m. Guests will experience an awards ceremony, live and silent auctions, captivating entertainment, and a moving video tribute honoring the children and families inspiring the foundation's mission. Attendees will enjoy gourmet fare, hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, and the chance to bid on exclusive auction items and experiences. The event will conclude with a lively after-party featuring music, dancing, and dessert, a memorable celebration of hope and community.

All proceeds support critical clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital. The foundation also provides vital financial assistance to families affected by this rare illness while advancing awareness and research toward a cure.