By Tim Saunders on
Eva Longoria was on hand at a benefit in Burbank on Saturday, March 1, to accept a donation to one of her favorite charities.
AT&T Inc, the telecommunications holdings company, handed over a cheque for $200,000 to Padres Contra el Cancer, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Latino children battling cancer.
“We are extremely grateful for AT&T’s generosity and commitment to PADRES and the Latino community,” said Longoria, 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 a result of AT&T’s second annual Answer Hope’s Call campaign, which featured a massive fundraising effort to increase awareness of childhood cancer. Donations were collected at stores throughout the Los Angeles area, and a bone marrow drive set a national record by adding 253 new donors in one day to the National Bone Marrow Program.
“AT&T has a long-standing tradition of supporting charitable organizations and initiatives that strengthen the Hispanic community,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager of AT&T’s Greater Los Angeles wireless market. “Nearly 50 percent of the children suffering from cancer in California are Hispanic, and PADRES provides critical support for families that need it most.”
Eva Longoria has been National Spokesperson for the organization since 2005, and joins Oscar Torre as a celebrity supporter. The charity has been bringing 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 treatment, for over 20 years. Their programs, activities and services, while primarily oriented to the Latino community, serve childhood cancer patients from all races and ethnic origins. No family is turned away, and the organization is in constant need of donations – cancer affects approximately 1,500 children annually in California; nearly 50% 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.
In the past, AT&T have donated over $500,000 to the organization. They are also currently supporting a Telethon to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as sponsoring a celebrity skiing and snowboarding event to raise money for the Special Winter Olympics.
Copyright © 2008 Look to the Stars
