NEW JERSEY (PIX11) -- A Teen boxing star is now fighting cancer. She needs support, and her dad and doctor are on a mission to help find a cure for her rare brain cancer that impacts hundreds of children.
Jesselyn Silva, 17, is a teenage boxing champion. She is now fighting for her life. But this time, she is not alone in her battle.
Pedro Silva is used to cheering on his daughter Jesselyn, a junior Olympic boxing medalist. Now, he feels helpless but hopeful for a miracle to save his daughter and other children battling a rare form of incurable brain cancer.
Three years ago, she was diagnosed with what’s called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, dip, an aggressive type of cancer of the brain. Dr. Mark Souweidane is a Pediatric Neurosurgeon at Weill Cornell Medical Center and is Silva’s doctor.
Dr. Souweidane has partnered with John “Gungie” Rivera, the founder Of The Cristian Rivera Foundation, to help save lives. They joined the Monica Make It Happen Facebook show to talk about their work finding a cure.
Rivera lost his only son, Christian, at six years old. His foundation is a nonprofit that has raised and donated more than three million dollars to help fund research and clinical trials. Rivera is now on a mission to support the Silva family.
Rivera has devoted his life to the cause and is a legend in the music industry. Rivera has major support from his celebrity friends, who have been helping raise awareness and funds since 2009. His mission is to make sure no parents have to endure the pain of losing a child to DIPG.
Jesselyn Silva is continuing her rounds of chemotherapy and is a true champion.
If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at [email protected].
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