Hispanic Radio Listeners Nationwide Set Record-Breaking Milestone Raising $8.1 Million to Fight Childhood Cancer

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of Univision Radio listeners across the country responded to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R)'s annual Hispanic campaign, "Promesa y Esperanza," (Promise and Hope) broadcast on 29 stations in 11 cities on Feb. 8 and 9. The event generated over 50,000 phone calls which raised more than $8.1 million in cash and pledges to support research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases.

Highlights from the two-day event nationwide included visits from several St. Jude patients and their families who shared their St. Jude experience with each of the station's listeners and hundreds of volunteers. St. Jude doctors and other staff members participated in on-air interviews via telephone. In addition, patient appeals were broadcast throughout the event. These stories motivated the audience to contribute to St. Jude's life-saving mission and make pledges through toll-free phone numbers and http://www.promesayesperanza.org/.

"We are truly amazed by the outpouring of support and compassion the Spanish-speaking community has shown St. Jude through this unified effort," said John P. Moses, chief executive officer for ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "Univision Radio and its listeners around the country are helping to save the lives of children fighting cancer and other deadly diseases -- and for that -- we are deeply grateful."

"We are overwhelmed by our audiences' generosity in response to St. Jude's message of hope," said Gary Stone, Univision Radio's president and chief operating officer. "Each of our stations seeks to make a real difference in their communities. This nationwide effort on behalf of the children of St. Jude is another example of Univision Radio's commitment to serving our communities across the nation."

Univision Radio, a division of Univision Communications Inc. (NYSE: UVN) and the leading Spanish-language radio broadcaster in the United States, supported Promesa y Esperanza through some of its local radio stations in Albuquerque, Dallas, El Paso, Fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Antonio, San Diego and San Francisco. Univision Radio also supported the event through syndicated programming on Recuerdo and RadioCadena Univision's network programming in 20 markets.

Since opening in 1962, St. Jude has developed protocols that have brought survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to better than 70 percent overall. St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and around the world and has affiliate relationships with 16 countries, including a half dozen in Central and South America. Many patients who receive life- saving treatment are from Spanish-speaking countries.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit http://www.stjude.org/.