PADRES Contra El Cancer Celebrates 25 Years of Service by Honoring Two Outstanding & Exemplary Supporters: George Lopez & Enrique Alejo

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- On THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010, PADRES Contra El Cancer (PADRES), a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary at this year's fund-raising gala.  The "EL SUENO DE ESPERANZA" gala returns to the historic Hollywood Palladium, with festivities beginning at 6:30 PM, paying tribute to PADRES' extraordinary children and families, while at the same time raise funds for the lifesaving work of the organization. Title Sponsor FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP (FARMERS) has joined forces with PADRES for the fourth consecutive year. Honorees this year include Comedian/TV Host GEORGE LOPEZ and ENRIQUE ALEJO, long-time supporter of PADRES and Owner of Liborio Markets.

The "EL SUENO DE ESPERANZA" Award is PADRES' signature honor named after ESPERANZA (HOPE), the angelic icon who conveys PADRES' message about HOPE and inspiration. The award recognizes an individual or corporate partner for their humanitarian contributions in support of the cancer community, all the while exemplifying Honesty, Character, Integrity, Respect, Community Commitment and Service to Humanity.

EVA LONGORIA PARKER, star of ABC's Desperate Housewives and PADRES' National Spokesperson, returns to serve as Gala Chair. Musical guest for the evening is GILBERTO SANTA ROSA, renowned Latin Grammy award-winning salsa artist, also known as "El Caballero de la Salsa." Andy Vargas from Santana will be performing a special tribute to the honorees. This star-studded event, attended by more than 400 celebrities, political officials, press and community leaders, has a goal to help raise awareness about childhood cancer and much needed funds for PADRES bilingual programs and services.

"We are excited to celebrate this amazing milestone of 25 years of service to our children and families," said ELVIA BARBOA, Chief Executive Officer of PADRES.  "This achievement would not be possible without the continued support of our Title Sponsor Farmers Insurance Group, our National Spokesperson Eva Longoria Parker, and ongoing contributors including George Lopez and Enrique Alejo, who have shown exemplary dedication, commitment and compassion to improve the quality of life for our children with cancer and their families."

PADRES Ambassadors scheduled to attend: Yancey Arias, Adrian Bellani, Justin Bua, Oskar Cartaya, Angelica Castro, Matt CedeNo, Beto Cuevas, CristiAn de la Fuente, Constance Marie, Amaury Nolasco, Cristina Perez, Francisco Pinto and Nydia Rojas.  Prominent celebrities who support this annual event include: JESSICA ALBA, BILLY BUSH, NESTOR CARBONELL, RICARDO ANTONIO CHAVIRA, TERRY CREWS, MARCIA CROSS, ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ, DAISY FUENTES, FELICITY HUFFMAN, EVA LARUE, MARIO LOPEZ, CARLOS MENCIA, JENNIFER MORRISON, ANA ORTIZ, TONY PARKER, TONY PLANA, ADAM RODRIGUEZ, PAULINA RUBIO, ROSELYN SANCHEZ, LUPE ONTIVEROS, DEREK FISHER and KEN PAVES, AMONG OTHERS.

"It has been our great pleasure and honor to support PADRES and its life-saving mission for the fourth consecutive year," said LUISA ACOSTA-FRANCO, Vice-President of Multi Cultural Marketing for FARMERS.  "Our commitment to the 'EL SUENO DE ESPERANZA' Gala is more than a corporate responsibility, it is a social responsibility to help the children of PADRES in their fight against this horrible disease."

For more information about PADRES' 25th Anniversary Gala, please contact SUZANNE GONZALEZ (Director of Development) at 818.980.0208 extension 234 or via email at [email protected]. For media inquires/credentials contact Mayola Delgado (PADRES PR & Marketing) at 310.493.5522, or [email protected].

About PADRES Contra El Cancer (parents against cancer)

For 25 years, PADRES Contra El Cancer has been dedicated to improving the lives of Latino children with cancer and their families.  As the only organization of its kind operating within the United States, PADRES brings together children, families, healthcare professionals and community leaders to promote a comprehensive understanding of childhood cancer and other blood disorders as well as effective methods for treatment.  Though programs, activities and services are primarily oriented to the Latino community, PADRES serves childhood cancer patients from all races and ethnic origins. No family is turned away. To learn more about PADRES' life-saving mission, please visit www.IAmHOPE.org.

SOURCE PADRES Contra El Cancer