Telemundo 51 raises $5M in Telethon for Liga Contra El Cancer.

WSCV / Telemundo 51 held its 10th annual telethon on June 1st on behalf of Liga Contra el Cancer, the Miami based not for profit organization founded in 1975 which provides free medical care to cancer patients. At the end of the seven hour live telecast, $5,211,320 had been pledged, and this figure grew to $5,342,795 as the organization continued totaling the pledges.

Liga Contra el Cancer (League Against Cancer) is the last resort for South Florida cancer victims who have no financial resources or health insurance. Thousands have received cancer screenings, world-class medical treatment, guidance and support from Liga, thanks to more than 350 volunteer physicians and the efforts of those who run the mostly volunteer organization on a daily basis. Expenses incurred by Liga Contra el Cancer to care for their patients can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and those expenses are primarily covered by the funds raised during the annual Telemundo 51 telethon.

Donations from local and national corporations, foundations and individuals accounted for the record-breaking success of the 2008 telethon.

“We are very proud that, during these challenging economic times, we reached out to our wonderful Telemundo 51 audience and they responded in such a generous way, helping to save the lives of cancer patients who have no means of paying for costly medical care”, said Manuel Martinez, President and General Manager of Telemundo 51. “It is an honor to partner with such a unique and caring organization as Liga Contra el Cancer, and we thank each and every person who contributed to making the telethon a success”, added Martinez.