Western Union and Fundacion Teleton Mexamerica partner to benefit disabled children and families

Zero Transfer Fee Quick Collect(R) Money Transfer Service from Participating Agent Locations in the U.S., Over the Phone and Internet Donations to Benefit Fundraiser

Together with Fundacion Teleton Mexamerica, a leading nonprofit organization in Mexico working with disabled children and families, The Western Union Company), a global leader in money transfer services, today announced a partnership to provide zero transfer fee Quick Collect(R) money transfers within the U.S. – identified as "Teleton Mexico" – in support of this year's 11th annual Teleton fundraiser.

As an official partner of Teleton, Western Union will provide consumers with zero transfer fee Quick Collect(R) services for money transfers sent from participating Agent locations in the U.S. to the "Teleton Mexico" US account – between December 1 and December 15, 2007. This year, Western Union also will enable consumers in the U.S. to make donations over the phone (1-800-CALL-CASH) and the Internet (www.WesternUnion.com/teleton).

According to Teleton, there are more than 10 million disabled persons in Mexico, of which 2.5 million are children – living in remote parts of the country with no access to medical resources to meet their needs. The annual fundraiser uses all proceeds to support children rehabilitation centers across Mexico.

"Western Union's support will afford Teleton the unique opportunity to reach the U.S. Mexican population with the hope to help our children receive the necessary services they need for their rehabilitation and integration process," said Fica Soriano, director promotional activities, Fundacion Teleton Mexamerica.

The partnership with Teleton is one of many ways Western Union works to empower migrant families around the world to help them stay connected, overcome barriers, and realize their dreams. Last September, Western Union launched "Our World, Our Family," a USD 50 million, five-year initiative designed to help leverage the impact of remittances, one of the world's most powerful forces for economic development.

"We take great pride in our commitment to helping Mexican families around the world," said Liz Alicea-Velez, executive vice president Latin America / Caribbean, Western Union. "Our support of Teleton is part of our continued goal to open doors to new opportunities supporting families on their journey to a better life."

This year's Teleton will be hosted by a number of high profiled celebrities such as Mexican pop singer Lucero; actor Ernesto Laguardia; renowned news anchors Carlos Loret de Mola and Pedro Ferriz; and game show hosts Marco Antonio Regil and Mauricio Barcelata.

With 27-hours of non-stop televised programming, the entire Teleton event will be broadcast live – starting Friday, December 7 at 10:30 p.m. CST through Sunday, December 9 at 12:30 a.m. CST – in the U.S. on Galavision cable network.

About Teleton's History

On December of 1978 in Chile, renowned Latin American television host Mario Kreutzberger, "Don Francisco," made a public commitment to support individuals with disabilities; a project known today across several Latin American countries as "Teleton."

On December 12, 1997, Mexico joined "Don Francisco's" efforts, uniting for the first time 70 different media outlets, celebrities and companies to create Teleton Mexico. Since then, this joint effort has aided in the rehabilitation of thousands of children with disabilities, creating and managing rehabilitation centers across the country and supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to this cause.

About Teleton

The Teleton Foundation of Mexamerica (Mexico) was created in 1997 by the Fundacion Mexico Unido, A.C. with members of media, corporations and entertainment industry, to formally establish the Teleton event and develop additional activities with the goal of promoting a responsible consciousness towards Mexican physically challenged children. The goal of Teleton is to unify the community with physically challenged people, promote their acceptance and integration into society, create and build rehabilitation centers, and support organizations devoted to this issue.

For additional information on Teleton and its efforts to help physically disabled children, visit Teleton's official Web site at www.teleton.org.mx.

About The Western Union Company

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global money-transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta, Vigo and Pago Facil, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a network of more than 320,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com.

WU-G

SOURCE: The Western Union Company

The Western Union Company
Daniel Diaz, +1 720-332-5564
[email protected]
or
Fundacion Teleton Mexamerica
Jose Antonio Dorbecker, + 52 55 5531 2255 ext 190
[email protected]