Oritel Joins Univision to Launch First U.S. Telethon

A group that runs charity telethons throughout much of Latin America is joining with Univision to launch its first U.S.-based program.

Univision host Don Francisco, whose real name is Mario Kreutzberger, heads the International Organization of Telethons (Oritel). Oritel oversees telethons across Latin America that raise money for children with disabilities. Kreutzberger founded the first telethon in his native Chile in the 1970s on advice from American comedian and telethon host Jerry Lewis. Now, he's bringing the successful Spanish-language model to the U.S. It will be Oritel's 14th telethon.