Hispanic Community Nationwide to Join in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer February 8 and 9

Hispanic Community Nationwide to Join in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer February 8 and 9

People interested in helping children fighting cancer may call toll free 1-800-636-0871 during the event

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R), the world's premier pediatric cancer research center, is joined by Univision Radio, a division of Univision Communications Inc. (NYSE:UVN) and the leading Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the United States, in its national annual Hispanic initiative to raise awareness of its life-saving mission. The effort, "Promesa y Esperanza" (Promise and Hope), will take place on February 8 and 9.

Listeners interested in helping kids beat cancer at St. Jude may call toll free 1-800-636-0871 during the broadcast February 8 and 9.

"The Hispanic community has truly embraced the mission of St. Jude and has shown a tremendous amount of support for children fighting cancer and other deadly diseases," said John P. Moses, chief executive officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude. "We are so appreciative of the support from Univision Radio and the Hispanic community in our life-saving mission of finding cures and saving children."

Univision Radio will support Promesa y Esperanza through some of its local radio stations in Albuquerque, Dallas, El Paso, Fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Antonio, San Diego and San Francisco. Univision Radio is also supporting the event through RadioCadena Univision's network programming in 20 markets. The purpose of the effort is to raise awareness and support among Hispanics to help children suffering from cancer, sickle cell disease, pediatric AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

Four-year-old St. Jude patient Blanca Paola Flores, from Mexico, will share her heart-warming experience with the radio audience across the country.

Blanca Paola received a diagnosis of retinoblastoma, a type of cancer of the retina, when she was 1 year old. The cancer had affected both eyes, and her life was in danger. Doctors recommended that both eyes be removed to prevent the disease from spreading to her brain and informed her parents that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was the best place for their daughter. St. Jude doctors discovered she also had several tumors in her neck and the right side of her face. During her treatment, Blanca Paola underwent two surgeries to replace her eyes with prosthesis, as well as chemotherapy, radiation treatments and a bone marrow transplant.

Since opening, St. Jude has developed protocols that have brought survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to better than 70 percent overall. St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and around the world since opening in 1962. Many patients who receive life-saving treatment are from Spanish-speaking countries, another reason why Univision is passionate about sharing the mission of St. Jude with its listeners.

In addition, St. Jude shares its research findings with medical communities worldwide and through its International Outreach Program, shares its expertise and knowledge with several Latin American countries.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.

Source: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

CONTACT: Alicia Matthews, Director of Communications, +1-901-578-2338, or
cell, +1-901-921-4071, or alicia.matthews@stjude.org, or Evelyn Homs,
Associate Director of Hispanic Marketing, +1-901-578-2293, or cell
+1-901-246-9937, or evelyn.homs@stjude.org, both of St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital

Web site: http://www.stjude.org/

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