Sheryl Crow, Charles Barkley, Melissa Etheridge, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba Come Aboard for Landmark Event Simultaneously Broadcast
on ABC, CBS & NBC – September 5th
AUGUST 27, 2008 – LOS ANGELES, CA: The Hollywood community continues to embrace Stand Up To Cancer (www.standup2cancer.org) as more notable personalities from film, TV, music and sports enlist to be a part of the groundbreaking initiative aimed at raising funds to accelerate cancer research. Propelled by the historic, nationally-televised September 5th event simultaneously broadcast live and commercial free on ABC, CBS and NBC at 8pm EST and PST, a massive campaign is underway to unite the American people, raise funds, and build awareness for the significant advances in cancer treatment now within reach. This will be the first simultaneous cross-network broadcast ever to raise funds for the fight against a disease.
"Both in the entertainment community and with the American people, the momentum continues to build for this cause," said award-winning film producer Laura Ziskin, who is the executive producer of the September 5th broadcast. “We’re setting out to give the public a show that is entertaining and inspiring, and we’re starting a movement that can revolutionize the way we approach this disease.”
Jessica Alba, Charles Barkley, Halle Berry, Jack Black, Abigail Breslin, Kate Bosworth, Sheryl Crow, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Garner, Brad Garrett, Angie Harmon, Tony Hawk, Marg Helgenberger, Diane Keaton, Rob Lowe, Mandy Moore, Don Newcombe, Sharon Osbourne, Josh Peck, Mekhi Phifer, Keanu Reeves, Jimmy Smits, David Spade and Carrie Underwood are scheduled to appear on the September 5th Stand Up To Cancer broadcast.
They join the previously announced line-up including: Casey Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, Josh Brolin, David Cook, Dana Delany, Fran Drescher, Kirsten Dunst, Elizabeth Edwards, Jon Favreau, America Ferrera, Neil Patrick Harris, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Masi Oka, Danica Patrick, Christina Ricci, Robin Roberts, Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig, Homer Simpson, Marge Simpson, Meryl Streep, Hilary Swank, Charlize Theron, Goran Visnjic, and Forest Whitaker. Network news anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams will report on potentially life-saving research, speaking with both patients and scientists.
The September 5th broadcast will feature the premiere of “Just Stand Up,” the all-star charity single benefiting Stand Up To Cancer and produced by L.A. Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds in their first creative reunion on record in nearly two decades. The performance features more than a dozen of the world’s most accomplished female recording artists including Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes, and Carrie Underwood. Beginning September 2nd, “Just Stand Up” will be available to purchase at iTunes and mobile carriers worldwide.
Beyond the television event, celebrities have participated in a series of PSAs (public service announcements) and original web content— all in support of the cause. At this summer’s All-Star Game, Major League Baseball, SU2C’s first donor, unveiled its innovative text-to-donate initiative (outlined in a PSA featuring Jessica Biel) which is running in baseball stadiums across the country throughout the summer. Commissioner Selig unveiled the program alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Sheryl Crow.
Everyone whose life has been touched by cancer can join the Stand Up To Cancer community through its multiplatform presence on the web. Highlights include: SUTV: with video segments featuring the cast of The Daily Show as well as Larry David and the moving SU2C PSA directed by David Fincher; The Constellation: where for a dollar donation or more, users can launch a star in honor of anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis; The Stand: an interactive Facebook application illustrating how we are all connected by this disease.
Stand Up To Cancer is a charitable services fund of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
