Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (L.O.L.A.) to Honor Celebrities and Prominent Members of the Latino Community at "Livin' La Vida L.O.L.A." Awards Gala

NEW YORK, NY, September 16, 2002 - The Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (L.O.L.A.), the first national, bilingual and bicultural organization dedicated to liver awareness, will be hosting their "Livin' La Vida L.O.L.A. Gala Awards Dinner" on Saturday, September 21, 2002 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.

The honorees for this evening are: John Edward, host of the CBS talk show, "Crossing Over with John Edward" who will receive the Gift of Life Award for his work in advocating organ donation and educating the public on the benefits of organ donation. The Journalist of the Year Award will be presented to Dr. Max Gomez, NBC Channel 4's Health and Science Editor. Gomez's show, "Ultimate Risk" has aired multiple reports about liver disease, transplantation, and patient profiles. Dr. Lewis Teperman, Director of Transplantation at New York University Medical Center, will be presented with the Doctor of the Year Award for his successful career in transplantation. Teperman was recently voted one of the best doctors in New York and has been recently named a deputy U.S. Marshall.

"L.O.L.A. recognizes these individuals because of their tremendous contributions towards educating the Latino community about liver disease and organ donation. Their hard work and dedication ultimately helped save lives and for that we honor them," says Debbie Delgado-Vega, Founder of L. 0. L. A.

Anna C. Carbonell, Vice President of Station Relations NBC-4 and Telemundo East Coast will be the master of ceremony. Carbonell was named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the nation and has recently been honored by the YMCA with a "Woman of Achievement Award". There will also be a special performance by the up-and-coming Latin music sensation, Kevin Ceballo.

Liver Disease and the Latino Community

"Over 16,000 Americans are waiting to receive liver transplants and not nearly enough donors are available to provide these organs," said Delgado-Vega. "This is why it is especially important to screen and treat liver diseases, such as hepatitis C, before they progress and cause severe liver damage requiring a transplant."

Liver disease, such as hepatitis C (HCV), is a serious and deadly problem, especially among the Latino community. HCV is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States, affecting some four million Americans and one out of every 50 Latinos. Unfortunately, socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lack of insurance, language barriers, and general lack of awareness, combine to limit access of Latinos to lifesaving transplants.

About L.O.L.A.

Founded in 1994, L.O.L.A. is the first national bilingual bicultural organization dedicated to raising awareness on liver disease through informational materials, prevention & education community outreach programs, treatment & referral services, support groups, quarterly newsletters, HCV Prison Educational Presentations and HCV Public Education Campaigns to the Latino and Americans communities and other underserved populations who suffer from liver disease in the United States.

L.O.L.A. also provides culturally appropriate bilingual information on liver transplantation, encourages organ and tissue donation and provides support groups for pre and post liver transplant recipients.

For more information about L.O.L.A., the gala, or to find out more about liver disease, call L.O.L.A. at (888) 367-5652 (LOLA) or visit www.lola-national.org.