Grammy winning singer Luis Fonsi became the latest celebrity joining the St. Jude Hospital’s Thanks and Giving Campaign, which helps raise money for research at the hospital for children with cancer.
Fonsi, who is Puerto Rican, said he wanted to help the Memphis hospital, which does not turn away children without health insurance, because it receives no public funding and does great work.
“It was important to become involved in this campaign,” he told Fox News Latino. “If you can help and change one kids’ life, it’s worth it.”
The hospital, which is financed through private funds, uses celebrity involvement to bring in donations. Other celebrities involved include A-list actress Jennifer Aniston and talk show host George Lopez.
Fonsi said it was important for the Latino community to get celebrities like him involved.
“Hispanics need to know about this because at the end of the day, it affects everyone,” he said. “We need to all dar gracias.”
At the hospital, Fonsi met a boy, Jean Pierre, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 2. Jean Pierre, who splits his time between Costa Rica and Florida, underwent six weeks of radiation treatment at the hospital. Four years later, his illness is now well-controlled.
“Cancer doesn’t just affect one race,” Fonsi said. “Everyone is affected by it. And hopefully we can all make a difference.”
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