Hola LA! Stands for Hope in Support of Padres Contra el Cancer's 5K Run

'Hola LA!' sharing Celeb MC duties at the event.  Naibe, Kikey and Bel with Esperanza, Padres Contra el Cancer's mascot

PADRES Contra El Cáncer (Parents Against Cancer) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for children with cancer and other blood disorders and their families

At 4:30am "Don't Stop Believin'" blared from my phone waking me from my sweet slumber.   Yes, 4:30am - thank goodness I don't mind being an early bird.  On this special day, Sunday, June 23rd, I was to join my 'Hola LA!' co-hosts, Bel Hernandez, Naibe Reynoso and other celeb's for shared MC duties at Padres Contra el Cancer's Stand for Hope 5K Run/Walk at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.  I was so excited about the event that I didn't even press snooze!

Kikey talking about the Stand for Hope 5K run/walk with Naibe and Bel

Kikey with boxer, "Bam Bam" Brandon Rios who's next fight is in Nov against Manny Pacquiao

Did you know that More than 13,500 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States every year. PADRES focuses on the needs of the entire family affected by childhood cancer and blood disorders, helping THOUSANDS of children from across the country, including California, South Florida, New York City and Las Vegas.

Esperanza, the mascot, with wonderful children who attended the 5K run/walk

Naibe and her daughter crossing the finish line

And the event was particularly close to my heart as cancer has also touched my life...my grandmother has a rare form of skin cancer and is currently getting treatment.  

  

Kikey, taking a turn at MC'ing the event with fellow 'Hola LA!' co-hosts  

Funds from the 2013 ‘Stand for HOPE!’ will support PADRES’ commitment to raise awareness for childhood cancer and also help expand its level of support services, which include transportation to hospitals for treatment; interpreters & case managers; grocery vouchers; and emotional support groups.

'Hola LA!' Exec. Producer and Actor Enrique Castillo crossing the finish line

In conjunction with the 5K run/walk,  Be the Match held a bone marrow drive for 18 year old Laura Garcia and 17 year old Jose Rodriguez. They both need a bone marrow transplant to save their lives. And they had a tremendous amount of new registrants...as they should, it only involves filling out a form and a simple cotton swab of the inside of the cheek.  Do you think you may want to register for the bone marrow registry??

  

So CALL (contact) Padres Contra el Cancer and Be the Match to find out how you can help these two AMAZING organizations!  I know I have :) 

Padres Contra el Cancer (Parents Against Cancer) http://www.iamhope.org

Be The Match (National Marrow Donor Program) http://bethematch.org

Stephanie's Day at CBS Studios and the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts at the Fox Studio Lot

Steve, Stephanie and Sheilah Mauldin

This year's Stephanie's Day was bigger and badder than ever! And some of the 'Hola LA!' ladies were there to support and enjoy the great day.  


Stephanie's Day is a resource fair that provides families with children impacted by autism and other special needs one place to gather valuable information, enjoy fun activities and much more!  This year’s event took place on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CBS Studios (on Radford in Studio City).  Parking and admission are both free which is music to any Angeleno's ear!  

Since the event passed and the next one will not take place until the summer of 2014, I wanted to provide some valuable information and share the names of just some of the organizations that had informational booths at the event:

Ability First, Acing for Autism, Autism Speaks, Best Buddies, Boone Fetter Clinic, Center for Autism & Related Disorders, Creative Home Programs, Foothill Autism Alliance, Guidance Autism, Los Angeles Speech & Therapy Center, Safe Passage, Special Needs Network, The Help Group, UCLA Center for Autism Research & Treatment, Working with Autism

Lorena Alvarado, one of the producers of 'Hola LA!' and I enjoying some of the fun activities and running into our CBS friends, you know because 'Hola LA!' airs on KCAL9/CBS2 :)  

I can save your life in heels

Imprinting our hands on the Stephanie's Day sign

A grand honor

And the Lady of the Day...Stephanie!!!!

Steve Mauldin (President & General Manager CBS2/KCAL9), Lorena (Producer of Hola LA!), Otto Petersen (CBS Exec Prod of Hola LA!), Kikey Castillo (Co-Host of Hola LA!)

Spring Cocktails at the Fox Studio lot in honor of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts!

On Monday, June 10th, Fox Audience Strategy held a Spring Cocktail reception to not only honor the work of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) but to also launch a new partnership that will build more NHFA student, alumni (and friends) content.  Welcome remarks were made by SVP of Audience Strategy, Nicole Bernard, co-founders of NHFA, Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Merel Poloway (the widow of the late Raul Julia) and NHFA President, Felix Sanchez.

I had a great time hanging out with my amiga, Lorena, once again, as we chatted up friends and met some great new people...isn't that what it's all about anyways...meeting new people :)  

In attendance: Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Heather Kadin, Wanda de Jesus, Naya Rivera, Nicholas Gonzalez, Jesse Garcia, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Justina Machado, Benito Martinez, KIIS FM’s Karli From the Block, Adel L. Morales and so many other new faces of Young Hollywood.

Felix Sanchez, Jimmy Smits, Nicole Bernard, Esai Morales

Kikey and Lorena with Fox Audience Strategy's Nicole Bernard

Heather Kadin (President of Television of KO Paper Products), Kikey Castillo (Actress/TV Host), Robert Orci (Writer/Producer), Lorena Alvarado (Producer, Hola LA!)

Benito Martinez, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Lorena Alvarado, Jesse Garcia, Kikey Castillo, Nicolas Gonzales

Lorena, Esai Morales, Kikey

Lorena, Felix Sanchez, Kikey

Beautiful event and a beautiful LA evening, snapped this pic as I was leaving...made an impression and signified where I was at xoxo