CELEBRATION HONORS DEREK FISHER AND CANDACE FISHER; FARMERS INSURANCE
GROUP; AND THE LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, OCTOBER 7, 2008,
PADRES Contra El Cancer (PADRES), a non-profit organization committed to
improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their
families, will celebrate its Eighth Annual Fund-Raising Gala, "EL SUENO DE
ESPERANZA." The ceremony's theme, "An Evening for Celebration and HOPE"
will pay tribute to PADRES' extraordinary children and families. FARMERS
INSURANCE GROUP (FARMERS) joins forces with PADRES for a consecutive year
as the Title Sponsor. Festivities begin at 6:30 pm and will be held at
'HOLLYWOOD & HIGHLAND CENTER' in the GRAND BALLROOM at the world famous
KODAK THEATER in Hollywood, CA.
EVA LONGORIA PARKER, star of ABC's Desperate Housewives and PADRES'
National Spokesperson, will serve as Gala Chair. The evening includes a
special musical presentation by multiple Latin Grammy award winning artist
ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ. "As public figures, we have a commitment to our
community. I feel very fortunate to be able to contribute to better the
quality of life of the children and their families in their fight against
cancer" shared Fernandez.
In addition to EVA LONGORIA PARKER, and PADRES ambassadors YANCEY
ARIAS, ADRIAN BELLANI, ANGELICA CASTRO, MATT CEDENO, BETO CUEVAS, CRISTIAN
DE LA FUENTE, FERNANDO DEL RINCON, and CRISTINA PEREZ, as well as other
prominent celebrities who have lent their name in years past, have joined
Eva Longoria Parker, once again, in support of PADRES' life-saving mission.
The list of celebrities includes JESSICA ALBA, BILLY BUSH, RICARDO ANTONIO
CHAVIRA, MARCIA CROSS, OSCAR DE LA HOYA, JAMIE FOXX, TERRENCE HOWARD,
FELICITY HUFFMAN, MARIO LOPEZ, CONSTANCE MARIE, CARLOS MENCIA, BRITTANY
MURPHY, ANA ORTIZ, TONY PARKER, KEN PAVES, PAULINA RUBIO, ROSELYN SANCHEZ,
RYAN SEACREST, JESSICA SIMPSON AND SOFIA VERGARA.
"We are pleased to honor Farmers Insurance Group, the Los Angeles
Avengers and Derek Fisher and Candace Fisher at our Gala. They are great
supporters and representatives of PADRES' mission. We are extremely honored
to bestow the Champion of HOPE Award to Derek Fisher and Candace Fisher as
they have lived through the heartaches and anguish, yet never gave up hope
in the life of their child," states ELVIA BARBOA, Chief Executive Officer
of PADRES.
FARMERS INSURANCE GROUP, whose direct financial contributions in
support of PADRES' and its life-saving mission, will be acknowledged with
the 'EL SUENO DE ESPERANZA' Award. This award acknowledges an individual /
corporate partner for exemplary dedication, commitment and compassion to
improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their
families.
LUISA ACOSTA-FRANCO, Assistant Vice-President of Diversity & Emerging
Markets of FARMERS said, "We are excited to once again be a part of this
fantastic event. At Farmers, the well-being of communities is important to
us...especially when it comes to children. We could not be more pleased
about supporting EVA LONGORIA PARKER and PADRES' mission. It's our honor to
once again be the title sponsor for a second year in a row."
'EL SUENO DE ESPERANZA' will also recognize PADRES' distinguished
friends and colleagues for their humanitarian contributions in support of
the cancer community. Additional honorees this year will include the LOS
ANGELES AVENGERS, who will receive the RUBY OLIVA CEDILLO TRIBUTE Award for
exemplifying PADRES' guiding values and core ideals -- Honesty, Character,
Integrity, Respect, Commitment to Community, and Service to Humanity. Also,
DEREK FISHER of the Los Angeles Lakers & CANDACE FISHER will receive the
CHAMPION OF HOPE Award, which recognizes a Cancer Survivor or Family
Member(s) who personifies courage against cancer with Strength,
Determination, Dignity and, most of all, HOPE. Derek and his wife, Candace
have personally felt the impact that cancer can have on a family when their
young daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer called
retinoblastoma last year. Since that time, the Fishers have become
extremely active in urging parents to test their children for this disease.
"My wife and I are honored that we can and have made a difference
within the community and have helped families understand childhood cancer
and other blood disorders," said Fisher. "PADRES understands the needs of
the children and the families which have been affected by cancer. They
deliver the day to day service necessary so that families can concentrate
their attention on the success of their child's treatment. It is truly an
honor to be recognized by such an organization and receive the CHAMPION OF
HOPE Award this year."
For more information about PADRES' 2008 Annual Gala "EL SUENO DE
ESPERANZA", please contact MARIBEL DE LA TORRE (Director of Development) at
323.850.7901 extension 224 or via electronic mail at
mdelatorre@IAmHOPE.org. For media credentials please contact JOANNA
CICHOCKI (BNC Public Relations) at 310.854.4800.
About PADRES Contra El Cancer (parents against cancer)
Founded in 1985, PADRES Contra El Cancer (PADRES) brings together
children, families, healthcare professionals and community leaders to
promote a comprehensive understanding of childhood cancer and other blood
disorders, as well as effective methods for their treatment. PADRES
currently remains the only Latino organization of its kind operating within
the United States.
PADRES' unique and inclusive program model is premised upon the
delivery of a health and education curriculum designed to be
culturally-relevant, family-centered and community-based. While primarily
oriented to the Latino community, PADRES' programs, activities and services
serve childhood cancer patients and their families from all races,
nationalities and ethnic origins. NO FAMILY IS TURNED AWAY. For more
information, please visit http://www.IAmHOPE.org.
SOURCE PADRES Contra El Cancer
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Related links:
http://www.IAmHOPE.org
CONTACT:
Joanna Cichocki of BNC, +1-310-854-4800,
jcichocki@bncpr.com, for PADRES Contra El Cancer
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