City of Hope Launches 'La Gota de la Vida Campaign' and Announces Cristian Castro, Graciela Beltran and Alejandro Lerner as Headliners for Upcoming Festival

City of Hope Launches 'La Gota de la Vida Campaign' and Announces Cristian Castro, Graciela Beltran and Alejandro Lerner as Headliners for Upcoming Festival

LOS ANGELES, July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- City of Hope Cancer Center is launching the 7th annual "La Gota de la Vida Campaign" to raise funds for the institution, educate Latinos about their health, and increase the number of donors to the National Bone Marrow Program. This year's campaign will culminate with a festival and concert featuring internationally known recording artist Cristian Castro, Graciela Beltran, Alejandro Lerner, Tatiana, El Mayo de la Sierra, Morrison and Italia Renata. Admission to the benefit concert is free and tickets will be distributed through Food 4 Less, Albertsons, Ralphs, Superior Warehouse, and Ritmo Latino Music stores. The campaign co-sponsored by Proctor & Gamble, Unilever, Gamesa, Coca Cola and Sara Lee and also includes public service announcements, bone marrow drives and community events.

To date, the campaign has raised over $1.2 million for City of Hope, registered thousands of Latino bone marrow donors and saved lives. The festival will also include the Angels of Hope Awards to honor Latino professionals and leaders who have made significant contributions in their respective careers and inspirational individuals who have overcome cancer. The campaign also includes the support and vision of the Angels of Hope Council comprised of community and elected officials such as Jackeline Cacho (La Gota de la Vida National Spokesperson), State Senator Gil Cedillo, Univision News Anchor Teresa Rodriguez and cancer survivor Gustavo Perez.

"Sara Lee offers a spectrum of choices to encourage a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, an important step in developing good eating habits for a longer, healthy life," said Tim Zimmer, vice president Sara Lee Fresh Bakery, Sara Lee Food & Beverage. "As part of our commitment to improving community life, Sara Lee is proud to support The City of Hope's La Gota de La Vida Program to build awareness about cancer prevention and treatment in the Hispanic community."

"La Gota de la Vida," is a national public education project with participation of celebrities such as Joan Sebastian, Luis Fonsi, Jennifer Pena and Victor Manuell. The celebrities, who are committed to reach the Latino community about the importance of the bone marrow registry, participated in a highly successful public service announcement (PSA) that has already reached millions of people around the country. As a result of these efforts, the overall number of Latino bone marrow registrants has grown significantly every year.

La Gota de la Vida Campaign is possible due to the support of companies such as Sara Lee, Food 4 Less, Albertson's, Ralph's, Superior Super Warehouse and Ritmo Latino Music Stores.

"I am proud to be affiliated with a campaign and an organization that reaches the Latino community on such important health issues and recognizes such accomplished Latinos," said Salvador Trevino, president, Santa Fe Communications and founder of the La Gota de la Vida/Caminos al Exito Campaign. "Latinos are the third largest community to suffer from cancer and yet, we are the least likely to participate in the Bone Marrow Registry. These efforts are critical to the health of our community."

About City of Hope

City of Hope is one of the world's leading research and treatment centers for cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Named by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's best medical centers for cancer treatment, City of Hope is acknowledged as a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics.

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Source: City of Hope

CONTACT: Martha Arevalo of Arevalo Sanchez Inc., +1-323-636-6509,
Martha@arevalosanchez.com, for City of Hope

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