SU2C logo

Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) is a charitable program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). SU2C aims to raise significant funds for translational cancer research through online and televised efforts. Central to the program is a telethon that was first televised by four major broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox) in over 170 countries on September 5, 2008. SU2C raised over $100 million after that evening's broadcast.[1] Funds collected by Stand Up to Cancer are then distributed by the American Association for Cancer Research.[2]

History

Stand Up to Cancer was conceived of in autumn 2007, by a group of women who had been affected by cancer and believe that by merging the recourse of the media and entertainment industries into a single operation they would be able to fight against this disease in a more profound way.[3]

Stand Up to Cancer was formally launched on May 27, 2008. Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Kathleen Lobb, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, and Ellen Ziffren.[4] All current members of the CFA were co-producers of the 2012 televised special. The late co-founder Laura Ziskin executive produced both the September 5, 2008 and September 10, 2010 broadcasts. Sung Poblete, Ph.D., R.N., has served as SU2C’s president and CEO since 2011. In the United Kingdom, Channel 4, along with Cancer Research UK, launched its own version of Stand Up to Cancer in October 2012, which has continued every year since.[5]

Initiative

Stand Up to Cancer aims to raise awareness and bring about an understanding that everyone is connected to cancer. The statistic used most often by SU2C is from the American Cancer Society: one out of every two men and one out of every three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime,[6] meaning everyone is affected in some way, or will be.

The campaign has featured televised moments during World Series baseball games where fans literally "stand up to cancer" by rising and holding signs inscribed with the names of friends and loved ones who have struggled with the disease.[7]

Research teams funded

SU2C has donated hundreds of millions of dollars since the first "Dream Team" was organized in 2009. The "Dream Teams" funded by SU2C brings researchers together from institutions and universities across the world and have been among the most productive collaborations in getting new drugs to market and many teams are funded jointly with other cancer research organizations. The research is required to be translational and include laboratory and clinical members and cannot involve more than one principal investigator from each institution.[8][9] Many of these dream teams are co-sponsored by other cancer-related foundations.

Led by Daniel Von Hoff, Ronald M. Evans, Gerard Evan
Led by Gerrit A. Meijer, Victor Velculescu
Led by Alan D’Andrea, Elizabeth Swisher
Led by Jeffrey Engelman, Jedd D. Wolchok
Led by Hans Clevers, Hans Bos
Led by Elizabeth M. Jaffee, Robert H. Vonderheide
Led by John M. Maris, Crystal L. Mackall
Led by James P. Allison, Antoni Ribas, Drew Pardoll, Cassian Yee
Led by Eric J. Small, Owen Witte
Led by Arul Chinnaiyan, Charles L. Sawyers
Led by Jeffrey Trent, Patricia M. LoRusso
Led by Joe W. Gray, Dennis Slamon
Led by Peter A. Jones, Stephen B. Baylin
Led by Daniel Haber, Mehmet Toner
Led by Craig B. Thompson, Daniel Von Hoff
Led by Gordon B. Mills, Lewis C. Cantley
Led by Carl June, E. John Wherry, Shelley L. Berger
Led by Charles S. Fuchs, Zhenghe Wang, Lewis C. Cantley, Luis A. Diaz Jr

Research led by these teams has contributed to the development of two FDA-approved treatments; palbociclib (Breast Cancer Dream Team), and abraxane plus gemcitabine (Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team).[10]

United States

Joe Biden speaking during the 2016 Stand Up to Cancer fundraiser.

Six telethons have been broadcast in the United States and are made available to more than 190 countries. To date, more than $603 million[11] has been pledged to support SU2C’s innovative cancer research programs.

The first Stand Up to Cancer event was held on September 5, 2008, raising over $100 million.[1] The second was held on 10 September 2010.[12] The third was held on 7 September 2012, and the fourth was held on 5 September 2014, presented by Gwyneth Paltrow and Katie Couric from Los Angeles. The fifth was held on 9 September 2016.[13] The averaged combined ratings for the 2014 telethon were 1.8 from 2.1 in 2012.[14] The sixth was broadcast on 7 September 2018, raising more than $123 million. This event was aired on more than 70 broadcast and cable networks and streaming and social platforms, including: CBS, HBO and NBC.[15]

In Canada, the 2014 telethon aired September 5, 2014 in simultaneous substitution (in many areas) with the American telethon, simultaneously on English language networks CBC Television, City, CTV and Global, as well as CHCH-DT in Hamilton, Ontario, CHEK-DT in Victoria, British Columbia, CJON-DT in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, and specialty channels TLN, Fight Network, Gusto TV, AMI-TV and the Hollywood Suite channels. The Canadian broadcast of the telethon benefits EIF Canada, the Canadian arm of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, with all donations benefiting cancer research in Canada.[16]

It was not held in the fall of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but postponed to August 21, 2021.

United Kingdom

Main article: Stand Up to Cancer (UK)

On 19 October 2012, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom aired their first telethon for Stand Up to Cancer hosted by Davina McCall and Alan Carr along with Dr. Christian Jessen. A second telethon was broadcast on 17 October 2014, again hosted by McCall and Carr along with Dr. Jessen. Subsequent UK telethons, again on Channel 4, followed in 2016 and 2018.

Stand Up to Cancer's fundraising activities in the UK include the London 3 Peaks Challenge, which involves participants running up the stairs of Heron Tower, 30 St Mary Axe and 200 Aldersgate before abseiling down the outside of 200 Aldersgate.[17]

Despite the Original American version cancelling their telethon and ITV giving up on their Text Santa shows, Channel 4 have still scheduled a telethon over the last two years, in addition to a number of other charity celebrity specials on the network. The most recent one was held on 15 October 2021,[18] and was hosted by Alan Carr, Adam Hills, Maya Jama and Davina McCall. In addition to this, Channel 4 will be bringing back a version of the British Comedy Awards for Stand Up to Cancer, with the renamed National Comedy Awards due to be held in London on 15 December 2021.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b Keveney, Bill (2008-09-08). "Stars 'Stand Up to Cancer,' raise $100M - USATODAY.com". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  2. ^ Gorman, R.N., Ali (9 September 2016). "Telethon helping locals stand up to cancer". WPVI-TV. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Stand Up To Cancer — FAQ". Standup2cancer.org. 2008-05-27. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  4. ^ "Stand Up To Cancer — SU2C Leadership". Standup2cancer.org. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  5. ^ "Stand Up To Cancer". Channel 4. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  6. ^ ACS Cancer Facts and Figures 2008. Retrieved on 27 May 2008.
  7. ^ "MLB stands up to cancer during Game 4 of Series". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  8. ^ THE SU2C RESEARCH MODEL
  9. ^ "Stand Up To Cancer Dream Teams". www.aacr.org.
  10. ^ "Stand Up To Cancer - What We Do".
  11. ^ "With More Than $123.6 Million Pledged So Far in U.S. and Canada in Connection with the Sept. 7 Telecast, Stand Up To Cancer Has Its Best-Ever Fundraising Special - Stand Up to Cancer". Stand Up to Cancer. Retrieved 2018-10-30.
  12. ^ "Friday, Sept. 10 TV highlights: 'Stand Up for Cancer' unites networks". Washingtonpost.com. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  13. ^ "Stand Up To Cancer — Dine Out with MasterCard and Support a Priceless Cause: Fighting Cancer". Standup2cancer.org. 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  14. ^ Harp, Justin (2014-09-06). "Friday ratings: Stand Up to Cancer down from 2012 - US TV News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  15. ^ "Stand Up To Cancer 2018 Telecast Raises $123.6 Million So Far". Look to the Stars. 2018-09-11. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  16. ^ "SU2C Canada - Press Releases". Standup2cancer.ca. 2014-07-09. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  17. ^ "Have you got what it takes to tackle London's Three Peaks Challenge (aka running up three skyscrapers)? – Now. Here. This. – Time Out London". Now-here-this.timeout.com. Retrieved 2015-07-26.
  18. ^ STAND UP TO CANCER RAISES OVER £31 MILLION|Stand Up To Cancer
  19. ^ Home - National Comedy Awards

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