Perspectives in Health Magazine
The Magazine of the Pan American Health Organization
Volume 7, Number 3, 2002

As the cameras roll, Don Francisco walks onto the brightly lit set in his Miami studio, breaks into song, then teases his guests and banters with his star-struck audience. Wearing a shiny suit and, frequently, a ridiculous hat, the best-known celebrity in the Spanish-speaking Americas appears weekly in the homes of millions of viewers, just as he has for the past 40 years.

by Bryna Brennan

Sábado Gigante ("Giant Saturday") is television’s longest-running variety show with a single host, Don Francisco. He fills his stage most of the time with comedy, songs, scantily clad women, and amateur and animal acts. But he also uses his pulpit to plead for a more compassionate and equitable world. He called on viewers to donate assistance to those injured or left homeless by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he denounced violence and hate in favor of peace and tolerance.

But Don Francisco’s most outstanding good works have been dedicated to health. His annual telethon for handicapped children, launched in 1978, has raised some $160 million and constructed six hospitals in Chile. In 2000, he was elected national vice-president of the United States’ Muscular Dystrophy Association for his telethon work. He has filmed public service announcements for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) supporting blood donation, childhood vaccines, prenatal care and mental health, and denouncing drug abuse. In 2002, PAHO named him a Champion of Health of the Americas in recognition of his contributions to public health. Pope John Paul II has bestowed the Bene Merenti medal on him, the first non-Catholic to be so honored. He also serves as a special goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

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