Stand Up To Cancer
ABC, CBS and NBC joined together to broadcast a simultaneous telethon to support the Stand Up To Cancer organization which seeks to bring awareness and raise funds for cancer research. Many celebs came out to the Kodak Theater here in Hollywood, CA last night for the live event, including Patrick Swayze, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals last night:
Three TV networks, cancer research advocates and more than 60 celebrities from music, sports, TV and film made history Friday night with a live telethon that aired simultaneously on NBC, ABC and CBS. Jack Black, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Keanu Reeves — along with presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama — were among the stars participating in “Stand Up to Cancer,” an hourlong, commercial-free fundraising show spearheaded by entertainment-industry heavyweights whose lives have been touched by the disease. “This is an absolutely historic night, thanks to the unbelievable generosity of the three networks,” producer and cancer survivor Laura Ziskin told the audience at the Kodak Theatre before the show began. “We hope we’re going to make you laugh, and I know we’re going to make you cry, so I have some party favors,” she said as she tossed packets of Kleenex into the crowd. Cancer survivors Lance Armstrong and Elizabeth Edwards kicked off the program with statistics: Cancer kills 550,000 Americans and six million people worldwide each year. “That’s the equivalent of 9/11 every two days,” Armstrong said. Patrick Swayze, Billy Crystal, Salma Hayek and Christina Applegate urged viewers to call in and donate, while Neil Patrick Harris, America Ferrera, Christina Ricci and Kirsten Dunst answered phones. A visibly pregnant Jennifer Garner, along with Berry, Forest Whitaker and Casey Affleck, read personal accounts from those battling cancer.
And speaking of Patrick Swayze, it turns out that he was called by some the “best part” of last night’s telethon:
Patrick Swazye’s surprise appearance at the EIF “Stand Up To Cancer” fund-raising special impressed a nation of television viewers and a stage full of fellow celebrities. The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, was brought out on a darkened stage during the opening segment. When the lights came up, he received a standing ovation. Even Jennifer Aniston, who was in the middle of a phone call, stood up to pay tribute to Swayze. “He looks amazing,” former basketball player Charles Barkley told PEOPLE. “For me, seeing Patrick Swayze, someone who is actually fighting this disease, was the best part of the show. Seeing him in person was amazing.” Swayze smiled and danced in the wings through the show, holding his wife, Lisa Niemi. He even managed a moment of solo air guitar.
It is really wonderful to hear that Patrick is doing so well … and what a momentous event. The Fashion Rocks event in NYC synced up with the Stand Up To Cancer event here in LA last night as a whole slew of musicians — including Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Natasha Bedingfield, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Keyshia Cole, LeAnn Rimes, Ashanti and Ciara — gave a special performance of the song Just Stand Up which was recorded specifically to help raise money and awareness for cancer research. After the jump, check out video of the Just Stand Up performance and find out how you can donate to this worthy cause …
If you would like to donate much needed funds to the Stand Up To Cancer organization, you can do so HERE.
[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source, Source]
Tags: 'Stand Up To Cancer', Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Garner, Mandy Moore, Sheryl Crow
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September 6th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
was it just me, or did anyone else cry pretty much from beginning to end?
September 6th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Nope, you’re not alone. That was great. Sorry I missed the show.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
[...] Original It’s Trent, Bitch! [...]
September 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
did anyone else find Miley Cyrus’s voice really out of place?
September 6th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Miley did soung out of place with the people around her.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Miley did SOUND out of place with the people around her.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Great show last night! Beyonce’s wig was hideous! Miley was not a good vocal match for Rhianna. She sounded like nails on a chalkboard!
September 6th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I watched this for a while last night, wow, was it every emotional. After experiencing cancer, and seeing friends and family go through it….it was really heartwarming to see so many familiar faces pledging their support to fight this horrible disease.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
*ever
September 6th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Thanks for posting this, Trent:)
September 6th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I bet the divas wanted to slap the girl in the white pants (I think it’s Natasha Bettingfield) for trying to stand out amongst everyone else.
September 6th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
LOL Kellye! I was thinking the same thing, yo it’s after labor day! Trent please tell me what the heck was going on with Beyonce’s hair?!
It was a wonderful show, I called and donated, didn’t talk to anyone famous, but not really the point. I cried!
September 6th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
This is actually pretty cool. Seems very selfless. Not all the women had solo’s right? And it sounded good. Well except for Miley.
September 6th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
OMG guys, lighten up, Miley’s only 15! I bet none of those chicks up there (except for maybe Mariah) had seasoned voices at that age….. I am not a fan of Miley but it’s unfair to hate on a 15 yr old no matter how rich or bratty she may be.
September 6th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
FYI, LeAnn Rimes did not perform. They had the lead Pussycat doll in her place. The show was amazing.
September 6th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
miley sounds REALLY BAD in this…when she opened her mouth, i was like “oh goodness!”
but i have to give her the credit for supporting “stand up to cancer”
September 6th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
i love it when people come together like this. it was beautiful, no matter if anyone’s voice sounded out of place.
trent, you rock!
September 7th, 2008 at 12:13 am
1. yes i cried through the whole thing..i played it off as allegies acting up.
2. Miley annoys me anyway, and her and Carrie Underwood acting all hip hop really annoyed me.
3.talk about trying to stand out, anyone notice Mariah’s bedazzled microphone, yeah i checked she was the only one eveyone elses was plain black.
4.They’ve done these things in the past…has anyone actually talked to a celebrity?
September 7th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
no offense to miley or her voice….but she shouldnt have been up there..she was out of her league. and really had no place on the stage ( partly due to her age..just my opinion)
leona was amazing! and carrie…i swear the first time i heard this song i thought she was christina!
i wish they gave all the girl parts…Ciara & Natasha had no parts at all.
and for the one above me…Mariah ALWAYS has that mic. benefit or not, its kinda like the butterfly…its her signature.
September 10th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Trent. You have GOT to talk about Beyonce’s hair! WTF was she thinking?!
September 10th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Katie, she was wearing a blonde wig in tribute to Etta James, the amazing singer that she is portraying in a new biopic about her life.