Latin Singer Juanes Honored at 8th Annual Fedex/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala

MIAMI, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® honored Latin Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Juanes with the 2010 "Al-Rashid Hope Award" for his international humanitarian efforts at the 8th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala on May 15, 2010 at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, FL.

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The event was hosted by popular Spanish television host Ana Maria Canseco and national radio personality Javier Romero.  More than 550 guests enjoyed an unforgettable star-studded evening, as well as live performances by LATIN GRAMMY Award winning singer, and long-time St. Jude supporter, Luis Enrique, and Noel Schajris, former member of the Latin group Sin Bandera. Guests also enjoyed an elegant dinner, cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka, a silent auction and entertainment by renowned MTV DJ Mauricio Parra.

St. Jude patients walked the red carpet along with gala hostess Daisy Fuentes, and welcomed Latin celebrities from the entertainment industry, including Claudia Castillo, Poncho de Anda, Patricia de Leon, Adriana Fonseca, Rodner Figueroa, Candela Ferro, Danna Garcia, Evelyn Lozada, Karla Martinez, Miguelito, Karla Monroig, la Jueza Christina Pereira, Dana Ramirez, Maritza Rodriguez, Betty Pino, Alberto Sardinas, Paula Arcila, Osvaldo Vega, Neyda Sandoval and Felipe Viel.

"I feel so honored to receive this award given by St. Jude. After learning more about this great hospital I was deeply touched, not only for its mission to save the lives of hundreds of children with cancer, but also by the great work that St. Jude does in other countries around the world," said Colombian singer, Juanes. "As a father, I can’t help but be profoundly touched by the children who are currently being treated at St. Jude.  At this great hospital our children have hope, and that is why I joined this cause, and with sincere gratitude accept this award.”

Last year's FedEx/St. Jude gala honored Tommy and Thalia Mottola and raised funds in support of the groundbreaking research and lifesaving care provided by St. Jude for children from across the country and around the world. Events like this help to support life-saving initiatives such as the St. Jude International Outreach Program, which has dramatically increased the survival rates for children with cancer around the world over the past three decades. This program has partnered with clinics in more than 15 countries including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Honduras, Chile and Brazil.

"FedEx is proud to honor Juanes for his humanitarian efforts around the world and to include him in our St. Jude family," said Julio C. Barrionuevo, Vice President of Finance, Planning and Engineering for FedEx Express, Latin America & Caribbean and Chair of the 2010 FedEx/St. Jude Gala.  FedEx has been the title sponsor of the Angel & Stars Gala since its inception in 2002. "The work that St. Jude does is incomparable, which is why FedEx has supported this prestigious medical institution for the past 30 years."

"It was a pleasure for me to present Juanes with this award for his humanitarian efforts. I am honored to represent St. Jude in such a marvelous event, and I am so happy to see how this event has grown over the years," said Daisy Fuentes. "The children at St. Jude face incredible challenges everyday as they fight cancer, but thanks to great events like this, St. Jude is able to provide them the best care possible."

“Our St. Jude family congratulates Juanes with this special recognition for his philanthropic work, and we are so excited that he was a part of our FedEx/St. Jude gala, which unites Miami's Hispanic community in honor of our children,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude.

Gala sponsors included: FedEx Express, Pollo Campero, The Gutierrez Family ,VISA , Carnival, International Dermatology, Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, Tony & Sandy Tamer, The "M" Point, AT&T, Stephen James & Associates, Univision Radio, Ketchum, Byblos Group, DDB,  MillerCoors, Navarro Discounted Pharmacies, Leader Jet, Grupo Akkar, MasterCard, Eastman Chemical, Pacific Cable Television, Inktel Direct, Leon Medical Centers, Westin Hotels, Ernst & Young, Chevron, Segafredos, Saks Fifth Avenue,  Noiseworks productions and cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka.

About St. Jude

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. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. 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. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. In 2010, St. Jude was ranked the most trusted charity in the nation in a public survey conducted by Harris Interactive, a highly respected international polling and research firm. For more information, go to www.stjude.org.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital