Stand Up to Cancer Charity Brought Star Power to Help Fund Cancer Research

On September 10, more than 100 famous celebrities participated in a charity drive for the third-annual Stand Up To Cancer telethon. The telethon was established with hopes of raising money to fund medical research in an effort to bring down the deadly disease.

Stand Up To Cancer has raised over $100 million since it first began in 2008. The cause is sure to raise awareness and funds that are much needed in cancer research. The telethon was hosted by Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, and Brian Williams.

Celebrities participating in this important cause with special appearances by U.S. President Barack Obama, Sally Field, Gwyneth Paltrow, Renee Zellweger, George Clooney, Stevie Wonder, Diane Lane, Marcia Cross, Kyra Sedwick, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Denzel Washington, Rob Lowe, Will Smith, Jay Leno, Diane Sawyer, Billy Bob Thorton, Mark Harmon, Minka Kelly, and Ryan Seacrest.

Cancer survivors and cancer patients alike united to stand up and raise awareness for cancer research. Christina Applegate, Michael Douglas, Lance Armstrong, Kylie Minogue, Ethan Zohn, Fran Michael C. Hall, and Maura Tierney made up the crowd of cancer patients and survivors. Showing that cancer can take anybody, at anytime. Cancer does not care who you are, what you've done, it knows no bounds. It can claim anyone, anytime. There is no cure, and that is a true shame. A cure is needed desperately. No one should be made to feel helpless and without hope. No one.

Some of the celebrities spoke of how their loved ones were affected by cancer, and how helpless they felt knowing that there was nothing that they could do to save them. George Clooney's aunt, Rosemary Clooney, died from lung cancer in 2002. Kelly Osbourne talked about what it was like to see her mother, Sharon Osbourne so sick, with no solution or cure to help. Marcia Cross, Dorothy Hamill, Neil Diamond, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shared their stories as well.

Check out the public service announcement video that will continue to air through March 14. Featuring over 60 artists such as Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Dave Matthews Band, Norah Jones, Sting, Jack Johnson, and Idina Menzel.

If you would like to help you can make a donation or call 1 (877) 3MY-SU2C. 100% of your donation will go to collaborative cancer research. You have the power to speed up cancer research, help bring teams of scientists together, help patients get faster treatment, and fund innovative science. It is never too late to help.

An official eBay charity auction has been set up to benefit Stand Up To Cancer. With all proceeds going 100% to benefit SU2C. Special packages include a chance to shoot hoops with NBA Stars, lunch with Richard Branson, a visit to the set of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, and an opening night package for Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark. Check out the SU2C auction to see if you can help make a difference. Every single donation counts.

The Stand Up To Cancer benefit aired on September 10, 2010 on ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, HBO, HBO Latino, Discovery Health, E!, G4, The Style Network, TV One, MLB Network, Armed Forces Network, and Showtime. The Washington Post reports that a tally of the donations received would be available later in the week.

A world without cancer would be an ideal world indeed. The world needs a cure for cancer, a solution to this devastating disease. The importance of the cure can not be expressed enough. Hopefully those who can afford to donate will continue to do so. It is never too late. Making a difference, and taking a stand allows the biggest awareness for the funding of cancer research. People that care, that is what raises awareness. When people are passionate about something - that is when change happens.

The telethon may be over, but cancer is far from having a cure. Too many people have lost their lives to this dreaded disease, and hopefully one-day this will change. The sooner the better.

Sources:

Stand Up To Cancer Official Website:
https://www.standup2cancer.org/Default.aspx

eBay Auction:
http://stores.ebay.com/auctioncausecharityauctions/pages/stand-up-to-cancer#h1

Celebrity Appearances Confirmed:
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/10/AR2010091000819.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Radar Online:
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/09/video-celebs-ready-stand-cancer