Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria accepted a $200,000 donation from AT&T to Padres Contra el Cancer at an event in Burbank on Saturday, February 28.
“We are extremely grateful for AT&T’s generosity and commitment to PADRES and the Latino community,” said Longoria Parker, actress and PADRES national spokeswoman. “The money AT&T raised will help us continue supporting families coping with the devastating effects of childhood cancer.”
The donation is the result of AT&T’s third annual campaign, which consisted of a fundraising effort to increase awareness of childhood cancer and collect donations from customers at more than 130 retail stores in the Greater Los Angeles area. Throughout the five-week program, AT&T offered a promotion throughout the duration of the campaign called “Get $100 and Help a Child with Cancer,” in which customers who purchased AT&T Advanced TV and wireless service received $100 cash back and were encouraged to donate a portion of those savings to PADRES.
“In times like this it’s more important than ever to provide help to those in need,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager of AT&T’s Greater Los Angeles area. “AT&T has a long-standing tradition of supporting charitable organizations and initiatives that strengthen the community, and we’re pleased to help support PADRES in giving hope to so many families.”
Cancer affects approximately 1,500 children annually in California; nearly 50 percent of those children are Latino. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among children under 15 years old and is second only to accidents in most age groups.
“With nearly 50 percent of the children suffering from cancer in California being Hispanic, PADRES is providing critical support for families that need it most,” said Beto Cuevas, three-time Grammy winner and PADRES Ambassador. “Thanks to AT&T’s campaign, we can continue to help young cancer patients and their families.”
To date, AT&T has donated approximately $700,000 to PADRES to aid in the organization’s mission.
