MIAMI, May 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 600 guests donned their best and boldest looks in support of children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases at the 13th annualSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital,® FedEx/St. Jude Angels and Stars Gala, held at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami on Saturday, May 16. This year, the event raised nearly half-a-million dollars in support of the children of St. Jude.
FedEx/St. Jude Angels and Stars Gala raises nearly half a million dollars
Robert Machen, St. Jude Chief Information Officer & Gala chair Julio C. Barrionuevo presenting award to Don Francisco
Stars shine to honor Don Francisco
Gala co-founder Daisy Fuentes and patient Stephan
Venezuelan actress and model Gaby Espino with St. Jude patient Chloe
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Chilean-born television icon Don Francisco was recognized for his worldwide commitment to giving back to others. Don Francisco is the host of "Sabado Gigante," Univision's longest-running program that will end its successful on-air stretch of more than 53 years this coming September.
"I feel very honored to have been recognized by this prestigious hospital," said Don Francisco. "I was well aware of the amazing work that they do but even more impressive is the fact that St. Jude freely shares their breakthroughs. This means doctors and scientists around the world can use that knowledge to save thousands more children."
Guests enjoyed an evening that included a special testimony by a St. Jude family, live and silent auctions, and a performance by one the most famous groups of Cuban reggaton in today's music industry, Gente D' Zona. The evening also featured additional live performances by Latin crossover R&B star Frankie J., and the man known as the "DJ of the Stars," DJ Africa.
Celebrity presenters for the evening included Alberto Sardinas, Enrique Santos, Gaby Espino, Ismael Cala, Lili Estefan, Rashel Diaz, and FannyLu.
In the past, the gala has honored some of the most recognized and celebrated artists in Latin music and entertainment for their humanitarian work, such as Romero Britto, Juanes, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra, Tommy and Thalia Mottola, Chef Adrianne Calvo and Coach Don Shula.
This year's gala sponsors include: FedEx Express, Sammy Sosa, Carnival, Visa, Zoological Wildlife Foundation, International Dermatology Research, Neutrogena, Fortune, Univision, Andreas and Kalkidan Kaiafas, Hola America, Ministerio de Fomento, YEZZ, The Al-Rashid Family, American Tower Corporation, Arven Financial, Arteasans Beverages, LLC., Powerful Yogurt, Leon Medical Centers, DDB Latina, Byblos Group, Ernst & Young, The Tamer Family, Bacardi, Nuage Designs, Casa Diris, Nassab A. Ahmadieh Graphic Design & Photography, People en Espanol, Amor 107.5 FM, Mix 98.3 FM, Radio Mambi 710 AM, Univision America 1140 AM, and The Dream Team Agency.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. St. Jude has the world's best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers, and treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since we opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs we make, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org or following St. Jude on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.
Editor's Note: Additional Photos and B-roll available upon request
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