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 …