Washington DC ‘Promesa y Esperanza’.

VIVA 900 and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other childhood catastrophic diseases, celebrate their first annual Promesa y Esperanza Radiothon. VIVA 900 will broadcast the event on April 14 and 15 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. live from its studios in Laurel, Maryland. The purpose of the radiothon is to raise money in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area to help children suffering from life-threatening diseases.

During the two-day Radiothon VIVA 900 will keep its regular station format, but listeners will hear live interviews and personal accounts from St. Jude patients, doctors and families. Ana Carolina Durán, a 14-year-old Colombian patient, will share her heart-warming experience at St. Jude with VIVA 900 listeners. Ana Carolina has been under treatment at St. Jude for a period of 30 months and will visit VIVA 900 during the event. Local listeners interested in helping children with catastrophic illnesses can pledge a donation by calling 1-800-626-8432 during the broadcast on April 14 and 15. VIVA 900 AM is the only Spanish-language radio station participating in the Promesa y Esperanza program in the Washington, D.C. area. “As a community-oriented radio station, I believe it is our responsibility to support institutions like St. Jude,
especially because we will helping our community’s children,” stated Mark O’Brien, General Manager at VIVA 900 AM. “Many patients who receive treatment at St. Jude are from Spanish-speaking countries, which is another reason why we are so passionate about doing the Radiothon,” affirmed Sergio Urriola, Programming Director at VIVA.

Since its inception in 1997, “Promesa y Esperanza” has grown to be one of the most successful radio fund-raising activities in the U.S. Hispanic market, raising more than $12 million in pledges. There are more than 79 Spanish-format radio stations in more than 48 markets across the U.S. committed to the program. “We’re very excited to have VIVA 900 on board in the Washington, DC metropolitan area” said Richard C. Shadyac, national executive director of ALSAC, the hospital’s fundraising arm. “Without the support of our donors and volunteers, St. Jude could not continue its life-saving research and treatment.”