MIAMI, May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^®,  where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, will celebrate its 13^th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels and Stars Gala, at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. The event, co-founded by Daisy Fuentes, is dedicated to support children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

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Chilean-born television icon Don Francisco will be recognized for his world-wide 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.

“Don Francisco’s humanitarian efforts have touched many generations throughout his career, and we are thankful for his support, as well as the support of the many Latino artists who continue to make this event bigger and better each year,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Because of their support, St. Jude can continue to freely share the breakthroughs we make, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists in the U.S., Latin America and around the world can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.”

Don Francisco will join approximately 600 guests for an evening of celebration that includes 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 will also feature live performances by Latin crossover R&B star Frankie J., and the man known as the “DJ of the Stars,” DJ Africa.

“We are all fighting for something and the most precious thing we have is our lives,” said Don Francisco. During my visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, I witnessed the incredible spirit and courage of all the children there who are fighting for their lives on a daily basis. St. Jude is not only giving them the hope and strength to fight, they are receiving the life-saving treatments they need at no cost to them, said Don Francisco.

Also, television and radio personalities Alberto Sardinas, Enrique Santos, Gaby Espino, Ismael Cala, Lili Estefan, Rashel Diaz, Ayleen Mujica y Kimberly DosRamos will serve as celebrity award presenters. 

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.

For more information about tickets, sponsorships and auction items, visit stjude.org/miamigala or contact Carolina Masri at (800) 278-3383 or [email protected].

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 deadly 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.

Media wishing to attend the red carpet, contact Alex Flores at [email protected] by May 13.

Editor’s Note: Pre-register by May 14 to secure media access to red carpet.