Stand UP To Cancer (SU2C) is a movement created to raise funds to accelerate groundbreaking cancer research that will get new therapies to benefit patients quickly and save lives. What sets this organization apart is that they work with bold face entertainers in unique ways to get people involved in the fight who might not otherwise be engaged. Since its inception in 2008, SU2C has contributed tens of millions of dollars to fund research, which is invaluable given that cancer claims one person every minute of every day in the United States.
The American Association for Cancer Research, the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focusing on cancer research, is SU2C scientific partner and helps them, among other things, decide how to best allocate the funds they have raised for maximum impact. SU2C is also a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and as such was established by a group of media, entertainment, and philanthropic leaders whose lives have been affected by cancer in significant ways. Members include Katie Couric who has hosted a variety of on-air initiatives for the organization.
A variety of fundraising telecast have aired in over 170 countries that have featured hundreds of celebrities including Meryl Streep, Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston, Forest Whitaker, Keanu Reeves, Ellen DeGeneres, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Patrick Swayze, Ashanti, Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, Fergie, Keyshia Cole, Rihanna, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Renée Zellweger, and countless other actors, musicians, athletes, and public figures have also volunteered their time in support of SU2C.
Interested in learning more? The SU2C website fosters an online community for everyone affected by cancer, with various ways for people to share opinions and support, view video updates, contribute, and learn of ongoing initiatives and progress in the fight against the disease. Among the included features are The Constellation: For a dollar donation or more, users can launch a star in honor of anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis; SUTV: video segments rich in scientific and research information, including ones that confront cancer’s human and personal impact; and SU2C Magazine: diverse content describing cutting-edge research and offering unique perspectives of cancer researchers, patient advocates and others.
