Patricia Manterola to lead search for Cheerios ‘Ángel de mi Corazón’.

Cheerios continues its long-term commitment to heart health and prevention through its national program, “Ángel de mi Corazón”. The effort aims to raise awareness of heart health among Hispanics and recognize individuals and organizations nationwide who invest their time and energy helping those affected by heart diseases and high cholesterol. This year, Mexican superstar Patricia Manterola will lead the search for “ángeles” around the country who are committed to the cause. Cheerios will award five $5,000 grants to fund organizations that fight heart disease and raise cholesterol awareness in their communities. The awards will be announced in late March.

“The Cheerios Ángel de mi Corazón program has been instrumental in raising the level of awareness of heart health among Hispanics in the country and has served as a source of motivation to those who were recognized and rewarded with grants last year,” said Jeff Hingher, Cheerios Marketing. “We’re pleased to work with Patricia as the new Ángel and we are certain she will do an excellent job inspiring Hispanics across the country to nominate their ángeles.”

The Cheerios Ángel de mi Corazón program has been instrumental in raising the level of awareness of heart health among Hispanics in the country and has served as a source of motivation to those who were recognized and rewarded with grants last year

Last year’s ángeles included a dietician from the Esperanza Health Center in Philadelphia, La Clínica del Pueblo in Washington, D.C., the Community Health Resource Program at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City, and the Larry King Cardiac Foundation.

“Heart disease is one of the biggest health threats affecting Hispanics in this country,” says Patricia Manterola. “I’m deeply honored to partner with Cheerios as the new Ángel and I hope I can encourage Hispanics to take the necessary measures to maintain a healthy heart and join me by participating in the Ángel de mi Corazón program.”

Individuals can nominate their “Ángel de mi Corazón”, an individual or organization that strives for better heart health and whose work and spirit focus on helping people with heart disease. Nominations can be submitted by completing an entry form online at www.cheeriosangel.com, or by sending an entry form to PO Box 72512 Rockford, MN 55572. Self-nominations are accepted.

Entries should include an essay of 300 words or less describing how the person or organization nominated invested their time, talent, and spirit in helping those in the community who suffer from heart disease or its risk factors. Entries may be submitted in English or Spanish and will be accepted until March 1, 2009.

For more information on how to nominate your Cheerios Ángel de mi Corazón, or to find out more about Cheerios and heart health, consumers can call
866-644-7713 or visit www.cheeriosangel.com.