Celebrity News May 21, 2010
Matt Damon Has Hope for the Children
Actor Matt Damon received Save the Children's Leadership Award at the annual Celebration of Hope event Thursday night, honoring him for his steadfast commitment to mothers and children in the poorest regions of the world.
"I have bumped into Save the Children staff members around the world and think they are some of the most incredible people I have ever met," said Damon. "They are professional and passionate about protecting children in some of the most difficult and impoverished places."
Almost 9 million children die every year before their fifth birthday from preventable and treatable illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and newborn complications. Funds raised at the benefit will support Save the Children's global effort to significantly reduce these numbers through proven, low-cost interventions like vaccinations, better newborn care practices and antibiotic treatment.
The benefit was hosted by "Dateline's" Ann Curry. Other NBC attendees included Brian Williams, Meredith Vieira, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager.
For more information or how you can help, visit Savethechildren.org.
