CNN Heroes Backstage live blog

Part of complete coverage on

CNN Heroes Backstage live blog

The top 10 CNN Heroes of the year were honored December 2 during a star-studded gala at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. See how the night unfolded, from the red carpet arrivals to the much-anticipated announcement of the CNN Hero of the Year.

Blog curated by Steve Krakauer, Kyle Almond and Dorrine Mendoza, with help from JD Cargill on the red carpet.

Tears flowing now @cnnheroes. Audience is so moved.

by Randi Kaye via twitter 12/3/2012 2:51:53 AM
While battling cancer, Young Wonder Jessica Rees came up with an inspired way to help other kids fight their illnesses and to “Never Ever Give Up.” Rees wanted to create the opportunity for joy in spite of everything the children had to endure. To do that, she gave them “JoyJars” -- containers full of toys, stickers, crayons and anything that could brighten a child's day.

Jessica was diagnosed with cancer at age 11 and died this January at age 12. But in less than a year, Rees had made a difference in the lives of thousands of children.

Rest in peace, Jessica. If you'd like to donate to her cause: www.negu.org

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 2:52:20 AM
not a dry eye in the house. #CNNHeroes

by Jack Gray via twitter 12/3/2012 2:52:50 AM
CNN Hero Scott Strode with his celebrity presenter, NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon

by CNN Backstage edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:53:24 AM
#CNNHeroes is making me cry. Wow.

by sncutaia via twitter 12/3/2012 2:54:17 AM
I dare you to watch #CNNHeroes and not aspire to do more with your life.

by ryanbullitt via twitter 12/3/2012 2:54:47 AM
Somebody get a shot of Anderson Cooper's dog that was just on screen at the show! AC says dog has the "stankiest" breath. Lol.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 2:56:11 AM
NeYo #cnnheroes Photo by @MozartJames
by dorrine.mendoza on Dec 2, 2012 at 9:56 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 2:56:47 AM
Here's a quick way to donate to your favorite CNN Hero. Go to http://cnnheroes.com on your phone browser & click the "donate" button.

by CNN Mobile via twitter 12/3/2012 2:57:03 AM
What a remarkable and uplifting program. Thank you CNN.EmartinbeckDec 2, 2012 at 9:56 PM

Let's look for more simple things..they are all around us if we have eyes to see and the love to act on themgudcookerDec 2, 2012 at 9:56 PM

This TV shows are The real reason why TV was created! To inspire people GDCDec 2, 2012 at 9:56 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 2:57:25 AM
Anderson and his dog-- a little fun in the night. #cnnheroes pbs.twimg.com/media/A9KJH7KCUAEbRyt.jpg

by KyungLahCNN via twitter 12/3/2012 2:58:03 AM
#CNNHeroes @andersoncooper wow Jessica with #joyjars...story moved me to tears like no other #CNNHeroes story.

by Amanda Carbone via twitter 12/3/2012 2:58:27 AM
Aww man I'm a doggie lover too. Great story. #CNNHeroes Matching service dogs with Veterans. Mary Cortani.

by pattiv40 via twitter 12/3/2012 2:59:39 AM
Jane Lynch, possibly best known for her work on Glee, is presenting a Hero award now, and does a tremendous amount of charity work herself. Here's a little about what she's done recently.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:00:10 AM
CNN Hero Mary Cortani up next. She is a former Army dog trainer who started Operation Freedom Paws, a nonprofit that helps war veterans train their own service dogs.

Did you know ... Of the more than 2 million U.S. troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since October 2001, it's estimated that one in five is likely to be afflicted by post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression, according to the RAND Corp.

by Kyle Almond, CNN edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:00:13 AM
@andersoncooper #CNNHeroes I skipped my breakfast to see this on CNN.tear came to my eye watching how people have done grat to help others

by Chaminda Gunasekera via twitter 12/3/2012 3:00:20 AM
Gripping video of David Angel Leos, one of the veterans that CNN Hero Mary Cortani is helping. Leos and his dog, Shadow, are in this great photo gallery of war vets and their service dogs. See exactly how each dog helps his two-legged buddy. Full story from CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 3:00:30 AM
A look inside the Shrine Auditorium #CNNHereos p.twimg.com/A9KKTkECMAEaEaM.jpg

by CNN Heroes via twitter 12/3/2012 3:01:41 AM
#CNNHeroes powerfully motivating. "No matter how tall or small you are, you can make a BIG difference.""

by lulubelle1227 via twitter 12/3/2012 3:01:50 AM
Mary #Cortani just proved therapy works #CNNHeroes

by Jdondusco via twitter 12/3/2012 3:02:45 AM
50 Cent is presenting now - Anderson mentioned one of his projects, but he also turned toward giving in the wake of Sandy recently. Here are some details.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:03:05 AM
Go to http://cnnheroes.com to donate and spread awareness about these AWESOME non profits #CNNHeroes

by Holly Robinson Peete via twitter 12/3/2012 3:03:51 AM
Thank you for watching.

CNN you are proving that there truly are ANGELS on earth!Carol ThompsonDec 2, 2012 at 10:02 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:03:59 AM
Oh my goodness. The #CNNHeroes awards are so touching. It makes me realize how grateful I should be and that there are truly amazing heros*

by Megan!❤ via twitter 12/3/2012 3:04:32 AM
Here we go. Thulani Madondo @CNN Hero Awards #RestoreHope http://ow.ly/i/1cazl

by MichelleHargrov via twitter 12/3/2012 3:04:41 AM
"Love heals, especially when you have a wet nose and four paws"... #operationfreedompaws #CNNHeroes

by SHAYLO123 via twitter 12/3/2012 3:05:19 AM
@cnnbrk Heroes. Razia Jan- 32 million girls are discriminated against because they are girls!End the violence! #inspirational #CNNHeroes

by toryburch via twitter 12/3/2012 3:05:55 AM
this Kliptown Youth Project is so touching - ubuntu in action

by afropolitaine via twitter 12/3/2012 3:06:26 AM
@50cent way to go at CNN Heroes! Your pledge is inspiring. #CNNHeroes #awesome.

by Lucy Davis-Hepker via twitter 12/3/2012 3:06:51 AM
CNN Hero Thulani Madondo struggled as a child growing up in the slums of Kliptown, South Africa. Today, his Kliptown Youth Program provides school uniforms, tutoring, meals and activities to 400 children in the community.

Get a closer look at Kliptown in this amazing photo gallery.

by Kyle Almond, CNN edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:07:16 AM
Madondo: "Having grown up in Kliptown ourselves, we know the daily struggles. We know the challenges. For us, we have a saying: 'Pull up your own socks.' It is a privilege to teach that to the children, but an even greater gift to see them do it. Thank you."

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 3:07:49 AM
2 things occur to me watching #cnnheroes
1. Extraordinary people exist all around us
2. There are many different ways to impact our world

by kstronach24 via twitter 12/3/2012 3:08:32 AM
"We're trying to give these kids the sense that everything is possible." -Thulani Madondo at #CNNHeroes event cc @KliptownYouthPr

by GFCnews via twitter 12/3/2012 3:09:36 AM
Rainn Wilson with CNN Hero Catalina Escobar

by CNN Backstage edited by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 3:09:52 AM
"pull up your own socks" great to teach this #concept #CNNHeroes

by CarraRiley via twitter 12/3/2012 3:10:06 AM
CNN Hero Pushpa Basnet is up next. She gives dozens of children in Nepal a place to live while their parents are incarcerated.

Many children in Nepal actually have to live behind bars with their parents because there’s nowhere else to go and there isn’t a sufficient social safety net. Basnet’s group also provides a day care program for young children who live in prison.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 3:10:43 AM
Thanks for the shout-out Anderson - hello to everyone watching on TV now, and thank you for joining the conversation.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:10:50 AM
Watch the show on #CNNtv and check out the interactive live blog at http://cnn.com/backstage. #CNNHereos

by CNN Heroes via twitter 12/3/2012 3:11:04 AM
Tough TRIVIA question: Ne-Yo is performing later tonight. What is Ne-Yo's real name? (leave the answer in the comments.)

by Steve Krakauer, CNN edited by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 3:12:29 AM
Image by @FreedomCulture #CNNHeroes
by dorrine.mendoza on Dec 2, 2012 at 10:12 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 3:13:45 AM
Children dying, not being able to go to school. The heart gets so heavy seeing these stories. Let us all hope we are able to do our part. Thanks CNN for showcasing these Heroes.Latha KalagaDec 2, 2012 at 10:14 PM

they are all heroes but puspa is the real heroramDec 2, 2012 at 10:13 PM

Ordinary" people are becoming "Extraordinary" this very moment as they will act on the feelings they are experiencing now; have a idea and act on itgudcookerDec 2, 2012 at 10:12 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 3:15:04 AM
Now I know how @howiemandel felt at NASCAR banquet. #telepromptermeltdown Still such an honor to b among true heroes. #CNNHeroes

by Jeff Gordon via twitter 12/3/2012 3:15:26 AM
Loved the video of Pushpa Basnet dancing with the kids she cares for in Nepal. Amazing spirit! #CNNHeroes

by Ella Chick via twitter 12/3/2012 3:19:33 AM
Wanda Butts lost her son in a drowning accident six years ago. In his memory, she started the Josh Project, a nonprofit that has helped nearly 1,200 children in Ohio -- most of them minorities -- learn how to swim.

She's being introduced by Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones right now. See her story

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 3:20:30 AM
With the CNN Heroes! My goose bumps moment of the night... #cnnheroes http://say.ly/MGT4Htr

by Holly Robinson Peete via twitter 12/3/2012 3:21:02 AM