I don’t think any of us can say we’ve never known anyone who’s been affected by cancer in some way. I’ve lost family members and friends to the disease, one friend a year ago this month, and would like to see a cure in my lifetime. I believe it’s possible and that’s why I’m spotlighting Stand Up to Cancer, the celebrity-packed one-hour event airing tonight to raise money for cancer research. It will be broadcast commercial-free starting at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, HBO, VH1, E!, among other channels (click here to see all the participants).
In case you haven’t heard, A-list Hollywood talent will be there, including George Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow, Renée Zellweger, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Rob Lowe, and a long list of others, some of whom are survivors like Christina Applegate and Lance Armstrong.
Half an hour before the show starts, the celebrity phone lines will open and a pre-show hosted by So You Think You Can Dance’s Cat Deely will be streamed online at the networks’ websites (cbs.com, nbc.com, etc.) plus Hulu, YouTube, AOL, MSN, YouTube and several other portals. These sites will also stream the one-hour special.
My friend Lauren Clemmons is among the amazing team of people working behind the scenes almost 24/7 to pull off this event. She tells me Glee‘s Mike O’Malley will be doing man-on-the-street interviews in the pre-show, asking people what they’d give up to end cancer. She says there’s also a funny segment in the main show involving Seth Rogen, Ken Jeong and Elizabeth Banks that’s not to be missed.
But celebrities aside, Lauren says, “If people can watch the show and learn about the science that we’ve funded, I think it will really make a difference on how the public sees how research is being done at SU2C. It really is so cool to see so many medical and science fields come together to help make strides in finding successful treatments for this disease.”
For more info about SU2C and to donate, click here.
So, will you stand up? Who will you be remembering as you watch tonight?
6 Comments
EIREGO
September 10, 2010 at 12:04 pmI have been lucky (knocking LOUDLY on wood) I don’t know anyone I was really close to who lost a battle with the big C, only ones who seemed to have staved it off (again, knocking on wood LOUDLY). But I have seen what it has done to people who have watched a loved one go through it and going through what they went through remains one of my worst nightmares. I give whenever I can to the cause. I will be tuning in tonight.
le0pard13
September 10, 2010 at 1:07 pmGreat you’re promoting this, Elyse. Thanks very much.
Poncho
September 10, 2010 at 5:16 pmThey’re airing it live ‘ere! And on 3 channels on cable! Yay!
I, as Eirego, haven’t met anyone -close- who lost the battle to cancer. But my grandpa recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor (and thankfully came out all right).
I’m all in for donating. But I’m also in for volunteer work, and I think that’s also what’s most needed in many cases.
Anyway, thanks for promoting this, PCN.
Shell Sherree
September 10, 2010 at 7:10 pmYou’re wonderful to promote this, PCN. I hope it does much to raise both awareness and research funding, and I hope a good chunk of that funding goes to complementary medicines as well, which hold great promise.
Lauren
September 11, 2010 at 8:32 pmthank you for this beautiful post! it’s really moving to see everyone together to help support research that I believe will one day defeat this terrible disease. 🙂 Thanks PCN!
Pop Culture Nerd
September 12, 2010 at 12:03 pmEIREGO—What did you think of the show? I had a lump in my throat the whole time.
le0pard13—Oh, I don’t deserve any thanks. The people doing the hard work do.
Poncho—I’m so glad your grandfather is okay. And I agree about the volunteering.
Shell—Yes, alternative medicines can be effective. I think more research should be done so they can be officially approved and patients can have more options.
Lauren—Thank YOU for all the time and energy you put in to help make the show a success!