Hispanic Community joining the fight against childhood cancer.

Univision Radio joined St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in its national annual Hispanic initiative to raise awareness of its mission. The effort, “Promesa y Esperanza” (Promise and Hope), that took place on February 9 and 10.

Univision Radio supported “Promesa y Esperanza” through RadioCadena Univision’s network programming in 20 markets including Los Angeles, New York and Miami. The purpose of the effort is to raise awareness and support among Hispanics to help children suffering from cancer, sickle cell disease, pediatric AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

“We are truly grateful for the commitment and support we have seen from the Hispanic community,” said David L. McKee, chief operating officer for ALSAC, the fund-raising arm for St. Jude. “They have enthusiastically embraced the dream of Danny Thomas that ‘no child should die in the dawn of life.’ With the support of Univision Radio, St. Jude continues to lead the battle against childhood catastrophic diseases.”

St. Jude Puerto Rican patient José Rodríguez, 13, shared his heart-warming experience with the radiothon audience across the country. José sees his life reflected in the life of his idol, Lance Armstrong. At his young age, José has won six medals from the Cycling Federation of Puerto Rico when he received a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, on March 11, 2005. He was referred to St. Jude where doctors proceeded to replace the affected leg five inches below the knee with a prosthesis that would allow him to live a normal life. He dreams of defeating cancer and going back to cycling as his idol Armstrong did.