Hosts Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa speak onstage during the CNN Heroes gala 2016 at the American Museum of Natural History on Sunday, December 11, in New York.
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CNN Hero Becca Stevens of Thistle Farms speaks onstage with actors Taraji P. Henderson and Octavia Spencer. Stevens' nonprofit allows women who've battled Nashville street life to live in residential centers at no cost and find gainful employment.
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Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez introduces CNN Hero Jeison Aristizábal. His foundation provides educational and medical services to young people living with disabilities in Colombia.
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CNN Hero Sheldon Smith of Dovetail Project speaks onstage with actor Keegan-Michael Key, left, during Sunday's "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute." Sheldon Smith started a Chicago nonprofit to help young dads become positive role models.
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Presenter Neil Patrick Harris holds Instagram star Marnie the Dog. Harris introduced Top 10 CNN Hero Sherri Franklin, whose nonprofit rescues senior dogs and finds them forever homes.
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CNN Hero Sherri Franklin of Muttville accepts her award.
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Actress Diane Lane and 2016 CNN Hero Harry Swimmer pose after Swimmer accepted his award. Swimmer turned his North Carolina horse farm into a therapeutic haven for children with severe physical and mental disabilities.
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CNN Hero Brad Ludden of First Descents speaks onstage as presenter Edie Falco looks on. Ludden started an outdoor adventure group to give young cancer patients life-affirming experiences.
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CNN Hero Craig Dodson of Richmond Cycling Corps poses backstage. Dodson started a cycling club for at-risk youth living in Richmond, Virginia, public housing after realizing a pep talk wasn't enough.
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A view of the Irma and Paul Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life during the CNN Heroes gala.
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2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida in the audience.
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CNN Hero Georgie Smith of A Sense Of Home accepts her award from presenter Richard Gere. Smith helps former foster kids establish a home all their own after they age out of the Los Angeles foster care system.
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CNN Hero Umra Omar of Safari Doctors speaks onstage with actor Liev Schreiber. Omar travels a dangerous stretch of Kenya's coastline offering free medical services to isolated citizens.
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CNN Hero Luma Mufleh of Fugees Family speaks onstage after accepting her award. She founded a school and soccer program for young refugees near Atlanta.
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2016 CNN Hero of the Year Jeison Aristizábal poses on stage with hosts Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa.
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CNN Superhero and 2012 CNN Hero of the Year Pushpa Basnet, right, poses with 2016 CNN Hero of the Year Jeison Aristizábal after Sunday's "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute."
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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 11: (L-R) Efren Penaflorida, Brad Ludden, Pushpa Basnet, Liz McCarthey, Umra Omar, Georhie Smith, Chad Pregracke, Sherri Franklin, Anderson Cooper, Jeison Aristizabal, Kelly Ripa, Harry Swimmer, Becca Stevens, Craig Dodson, Luma Mufleh, and Sheldon Smith pose onstage during the CNN Heroes Gala 2016 at the American Museum of Natural History on December 11, 2016 in New York City.26362_013 (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Turner)
