St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® to Honor Latin Singer Luis Fonsi at 9th Annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala

USA - English

• Latin America - español

MIAMI, May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Latin Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Luis Fonsi has been giving back to his community for many years, and next week he'll receive a distinguished honor from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® for his efforts. The 9th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala, presented by Trafalgar Capital Advisors, will honor Fonsi on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at 7:00 PM at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami, FL, with the 2011 "Al-Rashid Hope Award." The award will commemorate his commitment to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, as well as his contributions to the entertainment industry.

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Gala celebrity chair and television personality, Daisy Fuentes, will welcome more than 650 guests to the star-studded event which she has supported since 2002.  The gala, themed "Tropicana Nights in Miami," will feature live performances by 2010 Latin Grammy Award-winning duo Chino y Nacho, and Antonio Orozco, recipient of Spain's prestigious Premio Ondas. Award presenters will include recognized Mexican actress Angelica Vale,  Univision television host Giselle Blondet, local personalities, Louis Aguirre, co-host of WSVN's DECO DRIVE, Enrique Santos, host of the Univision Radio MIX 98.3 FM morning show, and Alberto Sardinas, host and producer of "Intimo" on Amor 107.5 FM, among others.

"I have been a part of St. Jude's mission for several years and have witnessed how the hospital helps to save the lives of children and young people with cancer around the world," said the Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Luis Fonsi. "On those occasions when I visited St. Jude, I was able to meet and play with patients who are currently fighting for their lives. Thanks to St. Jude and its medical research, childhood cancer is no longer an invincible enemy; on the contrary, in this great hospital the hope of life is what prevails."

Since 2006, Fonsi has lent his voice and image to help the children of St. Jude. He was one of the first Latin celebrities, along with Daisy Fuentes, to adopt the mission of St. Jude as his own. In 2009, he became an official spokesperson of the Thanks and Giving® campaign, a national initiative that asks the community to 'give thanks for the healthy kids in their lives and give to those who are not.'  In 2010, Fonsi took part in a 30-minute program for St. Jude's "Partners in Hope" program, through which donors have the opportunity to support St. Jude throughout the year. After Fonsi visited the hospital to perform for patients, one of his greatest hits "No Me Doy Por Vencido" (I Will Not Give Up) quickly became an anthem for the children and families at St. Jude.

Professionally, Luis Fonsi has been the recipient of multiple awards at Premios lo Nuestro and Premios Juventud. In 2009, he won the Latin Grammy for Latin Artist of the Year and Billboard's Latin Pop Airplay Song of the Year for 2010. On December 11, 2009, Fonsi was selected to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway honoring laureate President Barack Obama.

Events like the FedEx/St. Jude gala help to support lifesaving initiatives such as the St. Jude International Outreach Program, which has helped to dramatically increase the survival rates for children with cancer around the world over the past three decades.

"FedEx is proud to recognize Luis Fonsi for his humanitarian efforts supporting children at St. Jude. For many years we have seen firsthand how Luis has committed himself to this cause and helped wholeheartedly," said Julio C. Barrionuevo, Sr. Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Express International - FedEx Express. FedEx has been the title sponsor of the Angel & Stars Gala since its inception in 2002.

Gala sponsors include: FedEx Express, Trafalgar Capital Advisors, Chevron, The Gutierrez Family, Pollo Campero, Carnival, Dr. Carlos Fiallo, VISA, Inktel Direct, International Dermatology Research, Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, Tony & Sandy Tamer, Telefonica, DDB Latina,  Pacific Cable Television, Grupo Akkar, Del Monte, Westin Fort Lauderdale Hotels, Andres Asion, Byblos Group, Y&R, Chopard, Ernst & Young, Univision Radio, Ocean Drive Magazine, Selecta Magazine, MTV Music & Television, Noiseworks Media, Junior's Band, Amore Pacific, Saks Fifth Avenue, Visual Productions, ACT Production, ArtFlowers, MillerCoors, and cocktails courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka.  

To purchase tickets, information on sponsorship opportunities or to donate items for the silent auction, please call  1-800-278-3383, email [email protected] or visit www.stjude.org/miamigala. Media registration for the red carpet is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Media wishing to register for the red carpet can email [email protected] or call (305)766-2818.

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. St. Jude was named the nation's top children's cancer hospital in the 2010-11 Best Children's Hospitals rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.  

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital