Jael Rodriguez and Alexander, a St. Jude patient

Univision Radio and its radio stations around the country will join the fight against childhood cancer during the Promesa y Esperanza (Promise and Hope) radiothon, to be held on March 4-5, 2010, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers. Radio listeners interested in joining the fight against childhood cancer by making a pledge to become an Angel de Esperanza (Partner in Hope) by donating $20 per month by calling 1-800-998-VIDA (8432) or visiting www.promesayesperanza.org during the days of the event.

Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group in the United States, will host this annual initiative to help St. Jude in its mission to find cures and save children battling cancer and other catastrophic diseases. More than 30 hours of programming will be dedicated to fundraising for St. Jude. The event will be broadcast in more than 17 markets around the country, including Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, New York and Puerto Rico.

"It is a great honor to be able to be part of the Thanks and Giving campaign, which helps St. Jude continue its lifesaving work of finding cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases," said Fonsi, a long-time supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. "I am thrilled to be able to do my part to encourage the Latino community to not only give thanks during this holiday season, but also to remember and support the children of St. Jude by making a donation to the hospital."

“We appreciate the continued support of Univision Radio,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., Chief Executive Officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “Through the hard work and dedication of the Univision Radio staff combined with the generosity of their listeners, the Promesa y Esperanza radiothon is poised for tremendous success.”

“Each year, Univision Radio’s listeners and employees recognize the importance of giving back by helping organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where no child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay,” said Gary Stone, president and chief operating officer of Univision Radio. “It is extremely important to collaborate with St. Jude and its mission to help ensure that thousands of children will have the opportunity to battle these terrible diseases.”

During the two-day event, radio listeners will learn about the heart-warming stories from some of the Hispanic patients being treated at St. Jude. Patients like Alejandro, 3 years, who was diagnosed with an aggressive type of brain tumor called medulloblastoma. At St. Jude, Alejandro has received the most advanced treatments available to try to cure his cancer. Thanks to the generosity of donors, St. Jude has been able to continue its groundbreaking research that has led to the development of protocols that have helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to more than 80 percent.

Since opening in 1962, St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and around the world. From public donations such as the Promesa y Esperanza radiothon, St. Jude researchers and doctors are able to share medical discoveries around the world, including several Latin American countries, to help increase survival rates for children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses.