Chris Rivera's fight against cancer

Made a new friend on Facebook recently, and he and his family are working on a cause to help St. Jude Hospital.

Bakersfield resident Chris Rivera and his family started a fundraiser for St Jude Children's Hospital with the hope of helping others.
"Our family is in a real battle with cancer these days and we wanted to do something besides feel sorry for ourselves," Chris wrote me.

Here's what else he had to say:
"I have this one life to live. I plan to enjoy it to the fullest with my family and friends.... Why do I feel this way? Let me tell you why: Our family has been devastated by cancer. A total of eight family members and friends are currently fighting for their lives. We shed our tears for loved ones lost and prayed for the rest of our family to find the strength to fight this terrible disease. My family isn't just about to sit by and watch as our family is slowly taken away by this thing called CANCER. We decided to fight back."

And they are fighting back with their "Travel To Find The Cure" fund-raiser project.
It's a joint project between the Riveras and Uniglobe Golden Empire, a local travel agency in Bakersfield. Apparently, if you you book your travel needs with this travel agency, and you mention "Travel to find the Cure," the business will set aside a commission amount that goes to the Rivera family, and they, in turn, hand it over to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Talked to Ray Watson, owner of Uniglobe, and he said Chris is able to make this happen as part of being an independent contractor with the travel agency. Already, Chris organized a cruise in Baja.

"He's come up with the (Travel to Find the Cure) concept, and I think it's very cool," Watson said. "He's real passionate and engaging."

The family chose the travel idea after a visit with Chris Rivera's sister-in-law, Grace, who has a brain tumor.
"Seeing what Grace was going though, not just with the disease, but with the chemo and radiation therapy, it was hard not to be moved," Chris wrote. "We asked her if there was anything we could do for her and she said, 'Yes there is. You can live your life too the fullest. Never take a day for granted. Go places you only dreamed of, take pictures with your kids, see the world with your loved ones before something happens'."

Chris said if people aren't traveling anywhere anytime soon, then he requests one other thing in exchange: "Just give your loved ones a big hug and kiss. That's just as important."

To find out more info., look for Chris Rivera on Facebook, or email him at: mexibunch@gmail.com