The Walt Disney Company, Heidi Klum and Pau Gasol to be Honored at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Gala: Noche de Nios

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

At just 11 years-old, Dustin Meraz knew he wanted his life to make a difference for seriously ill children. A terminal cancer patient, Dustins last wish was to inspire grown-ups to have the courage to care about kids in need. His story inspired the biennial Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala: Noche de Nios, a red carpet gala celebrating the hospitals true heroespatients like Dustin, their exceptional caregivers and the supporters who help make miracles happen every day.

On Saturday, October 20, more than 1,000 celebrities, prominent philanthropists, business leaders and local dignitaries will gather at The Event Deck at L.A. LIVE, which will be transformed into an enchanted forest for the 2012 Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala: Noche de Nios. Proudly supported by AEG and presented by The Walt Disney Company, Delta, Costco Wholesale, Alyce and Warren "Spud" Williamson, Dayle and Ken Roath and The Estate of Cameron Glidewell, the black tie affair raises millions of dollars to help fund the hospitals most critical needs, including patient care, support for families in need and pediatric medical research.

This year, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles will honor The Walt Disney Company, Lakers power forward and NBA superstar Pau Gasol, and supermodel, television host, mom and designer Heidi Klum with the Courage to Care Award for their dedication and support of the hospitals mission and the patients it serves. Previous honorees include Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez and Jamie Lee Curtis.

We are deeply appreciative of our steadfast relationship with The Walt Disney Company, Heidi Klum, and Pau Gasol, says Richard Cordova, FACHE, president and CEO, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. It is our privilege to honor them at Noche de Nios and highlight the incredible work they do. Their continued compassion and support has made a truly positive impact in the lives of countless patients and families.

For ! nearly thirty years, The Walt Disney Company has dedicated significant time, talent and treasures to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, bringing happiness, hope and laughter to children and families when they need it most. The heart of this relationship has always been the people of Disney, including dedicated Disney VoluntEARS who give their time to comfort and entertain patients, the Disney Tri-Team, which has raised over $1.3 million to benefit the pediatric cancer research program, and Disney Imagineers who used their creative skills to design the hospitals main lobby.

Since Heidi Klum first visited Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, she fell in love with the kids, and, as a mom of four, has been a passionate advocate of the hospitals mission. Heidis involvement has been as diverse as her talents that have made her a famous supermodel, actress, businesswoman and television producer, from surprising some lucky patients who accompanied her on the red carpet of the premiere of Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil to serving as Celebrity Ambassador for the Turn on the Lights! 5k Walk for kids celebrating and raising funds for the opening of the Marion and John E. Anderson Pavilion, to name just a few.

A pre-med student before his championship basketball career, Pau is a frequent visitor and champion for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Pau has stopped by to visit with patients, distributed tickets to the NBA All-Star Jam Session, facilitated a donation of new technology to our pharmacy from Grifols (a company based in his native city of Barcelona) and, most recently, presented a check for $25,000 from the NBA Cares Foundation. He has also observed several spinal surgeries and starred in our interactive game Wheres Pau Now? showcasing the new healing spaces in the Anderson Pavilion.

Other celebrities who will grace the Noche de Nios stage include Emmy-winning host of ABCs Dancing with the Stars, Tom Bergeron, who will serve as the nights Master of Ceremonies; renowned former NBA player and head coach, Phil Jackson, actress and author Jamie Lee Curtis, and actress and philanthropist Melanie Griffith, who will serve as presenters during the program; and Grammy-nominated and Billboard chart-topping band Five for Fighting, who will provide the evenings headline entertainment.

Noche de Nios kicks off with red carpet arrivals at 5:30pm, followed by a cocktail reception and dinner where guests will enjoy food prepared by renowned celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.

This event is not open to the public. To purchase a ticket, visit www.CHLA.org/GALA.

NOTE TO MEDIA: To request media credentials or to receive photos or video after the event, contact Lyndsay Hutchison at lhutchison@chla.usc.edu or 323.547.5827.

About Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Children's Hospital Los Angeles is ranked as a top five childrens hospital in the nation and is the only in California to be selected to the prestigious US News & World Report Honor Roll. Childrens Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facili! ties in t! he United States. The hospital is also one of America's premier teaching hospitals through its affiliation since 1932 with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. For more information, visitwww.CHLA.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn, or! visit ou! r blog: www.WeAreChildrens.org.