Celebrities, Cancer Survivors and Renowned Scientists Joined Forces for SU2C’s Eighth Roadblock Televised Fundraising Special To Support Critical Cancer Research
LOS ANGELES, CA – August 21, 2023 –Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C) announced today that since its inception in 2008, the nonprofit has over CAD $1 billion pledged to fund critically needed cancer research. Commemorating SU2C’s progress over the last 15 years, the organization’s biennial telecast aired on Saturday, August 19 and highlighted special moments with stars across film, television, sports and journalism who have supported the SU2C movement throughout the years.
Since the last telecast in 2021, funding pledged from the show as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors has totaled over CAD $81.4 million.
“In 2023, cancer is still the leading cause of death in Canada; this disease affects so many – including myself and my fellow SU2C co-founders – it is critical that we come together and take action so that we can continue to help more cancer survivors thrive,” said Katie Couric, SU2C co-founder. “We are so appreciative of the generosity of the entertainment community, our Board of Directors, our corporate and foundation donors and the individuals who continue to show their support of Stand Up To Cancer and our critical mission.”
In Canada, SU2C is still gratefully accepting donations at StandUpToCancer.ca.
The telecast aired simultaneously on more than 55 participating media platforms across Canada and the United States, including all four major broadcast networks in the U.S. Broadcasters who carried the show donated one hour of simultaneous commercial-free prime time. The full show is available as VOD on @SU2C’s YouTube Channel.
Highlights of the show included a personal message from U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, who shared an intimate moment with viewers and emphasized their support of cancer research through the Biden Cancer Moonshot while also expressing their congratulations to SU2C on its 15-year anniversary. People impacted by cancer highlighted their moving stories of survivorship, while SU2C-funded cancer scientists discussed the progress being made and the critical need to fund life-saving research. In a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the last seven telecasts, the show featured a special montage of comedic skits from past shows, as well as past musical performances.
Celebrities lending their support for this year’s fundraising special included Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Biel, Don Cheadle, Katie Couric, Danai Gurira, Tony Hale, Ken Jeong, Queen Latifah, Maria Menounos, Julianne Moore, Tig Notaro, Jimmy Smits, Eric Stonestreet and Justin Timberlake. A special montage of comedic skits from past shows featured Jack Black, Ben Falcone, Zach Galifianakis, Brad Garrett, Bill Hader, Jon Hamm, Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Jay Leno, Melissa McCarthy, and Matthew McConaughey and past musical performances from the likes of Brittany Howard, Simone Ledward Boseman, Little Big Town and The Who.
A special segment during the event also featured appearances from Canadian broadcast personalities Yannick Bisson (CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries), Johnny Garbutt (Corus Radio Host, Q107), Danielle Michaud (Sportsnet), and Sandie Rinaldo (CTV National News), who shared their personal connections to cancer. Canadian celebrities who supported the telecast with social media posts included Italia Ricci and Eric McCormack.
“In light of the many challenges we continue to see in fundraising as a result of the pandemic, we are beyond grateful for every single dollar raised to help make every cancer patient a long-term survivor,” said Russell Chew, president and CEO of SU2C. “We’ve seen first-hand the impact of these critical funds over the last 15 years; with the continued support from our community, we look forward to all that we can accomplish together in the next 15 years.”
Since its inception, SU2C has brought together more than 3,000 of the best scientists from over 210 leading institutions to collaborate towards ending cancer’s reign as a leading cause of death worldwide. SU2C’s research has contributed to the development of nine new cancer therapies approved by the FDA, and more than 270 clinical trials treating more than 29,350 patients. SU2C is committed to cancer health equity and is increasing diversity in SU2C-funded clinical trials, initiating advocacy group collaborations and awareness campaigns, and funding research aimed at improving cancer outcomes and screening rates in medically underserved communities.
SU2C is also supported by generous donors and collaborators who share the same goal of accelerating groundbreaking cancer research, increasing cancer screenings, and ensuring equity in cancer care and clinical trials. SU2C’s founding donor, Major League Baseball (MLB), continues to annually provide financial support and countless opportunities to build the Stand Up To Cancer movement among its worldwide fanbase.
The biennial telecast was brought to life by the renowned live-event producing team Done + Dusted and Stand Up To Cancer’s production team.
For more information, visit StandUpToCancer.ca, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.
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Media Contact:
Fiona McRobert
Stand Up To Cancer
fmcrobert@su2c.org
ABOUT STAND UP TO CANCER
Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and was initially launched as a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Established in 2008 by media and entertainment leaders, SU2C utilizes these communities’ resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, to increase awareness about cancer prevention, and to highlight progress being made in the fight against the disease. As of April 2023, more than 3,000 scientists representing more than 210 institutions are involved in SU2C-funded research projects.
As SU2C’s scientific partner, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee, led by Nobel laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., conduct rigorous competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and provide expert review of research progress.
Current members of the SU2C Founders and Advisors Committee (FAC) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Kathleen Lobb, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, and Ellen Ziffren. The late Laura Ziskin and the late Noreen Fraser are also co-founders. Russell Chew serves as SU2C’s president and CEO.
For more information, visit StandUpToCancer.org, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
ABOUT STAND UP TO CANCER CANADA
Stand Up To Cancer Canada (SU2C Canada) is a Canadian registered charity (Reg: # 80550 6730 RR0001), launched by the U.S.-based Entertainment Industry Foundation in 2014. SU2C Canada raises funds to support collaborative cancer research teams, as well as education and awareness programs conducted in Canada.
