Late last month, word spread that another cancer awareness program is gathering celebrities to support the good cause.  In fact, the movement, aptly tagged Stand Up to Cancer, is a rare television fundraiser which will air simultaneously without any commercial interruption on TV networks ABC, CBS and NBC in September.  The event has already gathered quite a number of Hollywood A-listers, including Meryl Streep, who most recently appeared in the musical film Mamma Mia.  Other stars to grace the event include Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Salma Hayek, Sally field and sports celebrity Lance Armstrong.

“The support we've received from the creative community is remarkable,” producer for the show Laura Ziskin told Reuters.  “My phone is constantly ringing with people asking, 'What can I do and how can I help?' We hope viewers all over the country will do the same.”

It seems that concerned citizens are already taking social responsibility seriously by donating to various charities.  Take for example American Idol's Idol Gives Back, which raised around $60 million this year.  Moreover, this year's Idol David Cook is also set to appear at the Stand Up for Cancer affair, following his appearance in UCLA's Taste for a Cure cancer awareness event.  The 25-year-old musician, who is currently touring the states for the 2008 Idol Tour, is very supportive of such causes, as his brother is dealing with brain cancer.

Another respected individual who recently got diagnosed with cancer is Samantha Who? star Christina Applegate.  The 36-year-old actress, who rose to fame playing Kelly Bundy on FOX's Married...With Children, released a statement through her spokesperson, saying that she is “benefiting from early detection through a doctor-ordered MRI, the cancer is not life threatening.”

Moreover, the statement said that “Christina is following the recommended treatment of her doctors and will have a full recovery.”

The Samantha Who? star is set to appear on September 5's Stand Up for Cancer event, which hopes to raise as much funds to support cancer research.


-Valerie Anne del Castillo, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: People, Reuters, TVGuide
(Photo courtesy of ABC)