Family is the one of the strongest cultural focuses in Hispanic communities. As Fernanda Almeida, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital supporter and on-air host for Univision Minnesota says, the bond between the Minnesota Hispanic community and St. Jude is all about family.
“Cancer doesn’t see race, color, languages or age. Cancer doesn’t discriminate and neither does St. Jude. Supporting St. Jude is a way for us all to become one and fight to end childhood cancer. Univision helps bring awareness to our Hispanic community so that they know that there is help for everyone.”
Univision has been a St. Jude partner since 1997, hosting an annual telethon each year to fundraise and raise awareness for the hospital.
“The Univision partnership with St. Jude is a great way to bring our community together. We are the bond between St. Jude and the local Hispanic community, sharing the mission and stories of hope.”
As Fernanda shares the stories of St. Jude patient families with fellow Minnesotans, she can’t help but put herself in their shoes.
“As a mother, I know the pain that we go through as parents. Even when your children have a cold, you want to be the one that is sick. My heart aches for the kids and families that are battling life-threatening diseases. That’s why I support St. Jude — they are the hospital that families can turn to in their toughest times.”
Her two children, Gerardo and Carolina, now 13 and 11, have grown up attending the Univision Minnesota St. Jude telethons and hearing St. Jude patient stories.
“The empathy that my kids experience because of St. Jude gives them strength and motivation to do better and help more. They see the patient stories and understand why it’s important to continue to share the mission of the hospital. We’re a team against cancer. I’m grateful for everything that St. Jude does in our local community and around the world.”
