Looks like award-winning actress Sally Field is getting away from all those messy controversies.  Field is choosing to devote her time to more worthy causes these days, unlike some of her co-stars in the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters, for example, Balthazar Getty and Matthew Rhys getting entangled in all those Sienna Miller photos and what not.

The acclaimed actress, who has received multiple awards throughout her 40-year career—including two Oscars and three Emmys—has signed on to join a one-hour television special about cancer.  Stand Up to Cancer, a telethon that aims to raise awareness about, and funds for, cancer prevention, is slated to air on September 5 at 8pm on ABC, CBS and NBC.

The telethon has attracted many celebrities; many are already confirmed to appear in the broadcast.  Showing up are actors such as Jennifer Aniston, America Ferrera, Meryl Streep, Forest Whitaker and Scarlett Johannson; television personalities such as Brian Williams, Charles Gibson and Katie Couric; and other A-list celebrities.  The latest American Idol winner, David Cook, is confirmed to stage a performance during the appeal.

Also appearing are celebrities that have survived cancer: cyclist Lance Armstrong, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer; and Good Morning America's Robin Roberts, who announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer early last year.  The telethon should prove company to Samantha Who? star Christina Applegate, who is slated to appear as well—and was only recently diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer.

“A lot of us had similar ideas at the same time,” the telethon's producer Laura Ziskin said.  “And we had some connection with each other.  Every single person involved in this is touched by this disease in one way or another.”

She also added that other celebrities can still join in.  “If people are available, they are coming,” she revealed.  “They want to participate.”

The campaign has already kicked off, with celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Sheryl Crow already doing PSAs asking for contributions.  Ziskin is optimistic that this will be the start of something wonderful: “We hope that September 5 is just the beginning,” she said.


-Henrik batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Sources: USA Today, iVillage
(Image courtesy of ABC)