Cristina Saralegui Receives Achievement Award in NYC

Journalist and TV host Cristina Saralegui was honored yesterday at the Fifth Annual Hispanic Television Summit in New York. “To me, this [acknowledgement] means that since the beginning of my career, I've always been in control and creative,” the Cuban, 59, told Peopleenespanol.com.

Saralegui was honored with the Outstanding Lifetime of Achievement award in front of 400 television executives. U.S. radio and TV figures like Barbara Walters, Walter Cronkite and Johnny Carson have also received the prestigious award.

The 12-time Emmy winner and first Latin woman to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is also heading a campaign to increase awareness about breast cancer. The organization Pink de Munchin auctions off pink ducks signed by celebrities to raise money for breast cancer research.

“A few years ago I went to have a breast reduction done, and they'd given me a mammogram. But when the doctor opened me up, they found a tumor the size of a duck egg in me. So if that happens to someone who is taking precautions, imagine the people who don't take care of themselves,” Cristina said.

Cristina's ducks are currently being auctioned off on eBay. Go to www.cristinaonline.com for more information about Cristina and her cause.