Los Angeles Community Came Together To Support Kids With Cancer At 3rd Annual St. Jude 'Estrellas Por La Vida' Gala

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Jun 28, 2012, 08:10 ET

Event commemorated 50th anniversary of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®

LOS ANGELES, June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® experienced an outpouring of generosity at its third annual St. Jude 'Estrellas Por La Vida' (Stars for Life) gala on June 22. Hosted at Club Nokia LA Live, approximately 250 people gathered at a St. Jude 50th anniversary celebration to help find cures and save the lives of countless kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases. Univision Radio Los Angeles, which has raised more than $11 million through its Promesa y Esperanza radiothon, received special recognition for their support.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120628/DC33119 )

"Galas like Estrellas Por La Vida support St. Jude's pioneering research and exceptional care, and help us ensure that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything," said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "We are so grateful that the Hispanic community in Los Angeles has embraced this event and the lifesaving mission of St. Jude, so that one child saved at St. Jude will mean thousands more saved around the world."

Renowned Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, hosted the star studded event as honorary chair. The night was hosted by Lanzate's and KLVE DJ Carlos Alvarez and Univision personality and KLVE DJ Stephanie Himonidis "La Chiquibaby". The event included live performances by regional Mexican artist Graciela Beltran and Mariachi Grullense. Among the attendees were actor and philanthropist Marco Antonio Regil, Univision personality Jessica Maldonado, actress Josie Loren, undefeated Mexican professional boxer in the light middleweight division Saul "El Canelo" Alvarez, and legendary soap opera actress Susana Dosamantes, among others.

"It is a great honor to be a part of the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Knowing that children are receiving exceptional care and innovative treatments to fight such deadly diseases makes me proud to represent St. Jude," said Kate del Castillo.

During one of the most inspirational moments of the night, television personality and renowned actor Marco Antonio Regil welcomed the family of Christopher, a 4-year-old St. Jude patient, to share their incredible story of his survival against ependymoma, an aggressive and deadly brain tumor.

Christopher is now home with his family and doing his favorite things, like visiting the playground every day and playing with his friends.

For nearly 50 years, St. Jude has been finding cures for pediatric cancer and other deadly diseases. In 1962, children diagnosed with cancer faced a virtual death sentence. Now, our researchers and doctors have helped push overall survival rates of childhood cancer from 20 percent when we opened to 80 percent today. The hospital relies primarily on the public's generosity and events like the St. Jude Estrellas Por La Vida gala to support its lifesaving mission and initiatives, such as the St. Jude International Outreach Program.

It costs $1.7 million to operate the hospital every day and more than 75 percent of that funding comes from the public. Thanks to donations made during events such as the St. Jude Estrellas Por La Vida, families never have to pay St. Jude anything because the hospital covers the cost of treatment, travel, lodging and food for patients and a family member.

This year's gala sponsors included: Adriana's Insurance, LAN Airlines, Marinello School of Beauty and Univision-KMEX 34. Highlights of the auction included travel destinations to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cartagena, autographed guitars by Espinoza Paz and Luis Fonsi and autographed boxing gloves by Saul "El Canelo" Alvarez. Top auction sponsors included: Alaska Airlines, Aeromexico Airlines, American Airlines, AviancaTaca Airlines, Barcelo Costa Cancun, Iberoamerican Travel & Sunny Beach Vacations, LAN Airlines and Royal Decameron.

To learn more visit www.stjude.org.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Join that mission by visiting www.stjude.org or following us on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital