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September 5, 2008 6:38 PM

Stand Up To Cancer … Tonight!

Posted by Katie Couric
(CBS)
It's been a whirlwind of activity for weeks now, preparing for a program that's been more than a year in the making. Usually we're competitors – but now I'm happy to say my network colleagues Brian Williams and Charlie Gibson will join me for this a landmark TV event called "Stand Up To Cancer."

We've designed it as a special time in which Americans can come together for a commercial-free hour to help raise the money needed to eradicate this disease, which claims more than half a million lives in this country every year – that's one American who dies every second.

On the show tonight, you'll see everything from entertainment to scientific breakthroughs. We'll have musical performances (James Taylor and Sheryl Crow to name a couple) and show you the future of cancer research, including some cutting-edge innovations.

So, check it out on any of the three networks tonight (though of course you'll be tuned to CBS!) at 8 p.m. ET/PT or 7 p.m. CT. Or you can learn more about our exciting endeavor anytime StandUp2Cancer.org.

See you tonight!
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Add a Comment See all 26 Comments
by bobo2854-2009 September 8, 2008 6:55 PM EDT
Its a shame that this program was used as a tool as a political soapbox instead of staying on the subject at hand
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by Lisaizme2 September 6, 2008 11:07 PM EDT
It seems that you cannot use the correct spellings and names for certain female organs without getting the ****.

What a sad commentary on our society.

My apologies to anyone who might think I was trying to type dirty words. I wasn''t. I was using the correct anatomical expressions instead of slang words that might have gotten past the censors.

We need to grow up as a society.
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by Lisaizme2 September 6, 2008 11:00 PM EDT
I have to agree with the previous poster, Dr. Jennifer Young, at shock of not mentioning pap smears as a way of preventing cancer.

I am also shocked and dismayed at the complete and total lack of mentioning ANY of the gynecological cancers that women can have.

Why was this not done? Were the networks afraid that the FCC would come down on them if they mentioned the words Uterus, Cervix, ***, ***, Ovary? Why in the world is it OK to talk about Prostates, but not women''s organs??

I can remember when Breast cancer was a big taboo subject and now we talk about it everywhere. Please let''s do the same for women and gyn cancers.

From a woman who hopes to be a uterine cancer survivor in 4 more years.
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by Lisaizme2 September 6, 2008 10:57 PM EDT
I have to agree with the previous poster, Dr. Jennifer Young, at shock of not mentioning pap smears as a way of preventing cancer.

I am also shocked and dismayed at the complete and total lack of mentioning ANY of the gynecological cancers that women can have.

Why was this not done? Were the networks afraid that the FCC would come down on them if they mentioned the words Uterus, Cervix, ***, ***, Ovary? Why in the world is it OK to talk about Prostates, but not women''s organs??

I can remember when Breast cancer was a big taboo subject and now we talk about it everywhere. Please let''s do the same for women and gyn cancers.

From someone who hopes to be a uterine cancer survivor. 1 year down and 4 more to go.
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by survivorlv September 6, 2008 10:03 PM EDT
I had been anticipating this show for weeks. It was all so close to home. Watching loved ones die,watching friend''s kids struggle thru treatments for leukemia, and my own personal battle with breast cancer - a bilateral mastectomy and chemo. I was so impressed that all these celebrities were giving their time. Kimmel was awesome. The stats were staggering. But then I was shocked when I realized that one of the main reasons for this program (and perhaps THE main one) was a POLITICAL agenda. You took what was obviously an OFTEN rehearsed PRIVATE interview with Obama in bright vivid colors and contrasted it with an UNREHEARSED public interview with McCain in faded hues. Shame on the press for bringing politics to what should have been an entirely cancer focused show. This was totally inappropriate.

Note: NEITHER candidate said HOW they would accomplish anything or had a plan broken on how anything would be paid for, but the segment that was used with Obama''s interview said absolutely nothing better just because it was rehearsed. If they had reversed the venues in favor of McCain, it would have been just as offensive.

I have to admit, I was disillusioned and disheartened. Once again cancer took a back seat and the press took what could have been a tremendous opportunity and turned it into a political cartoon. No matter what your politics, this kind of blatant manipulation is insulting and killed what should have been the true message - we need to find a cure for cancer now. Sigh...
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by ellensee-2009 September 6, 2008 7:20 PM EDT
Katie,

I watched the show last night and I was completely moved and encouraged. To see so many celebrities, networks, and influential people working together to end Cancer is truly motivating. I have lost two Grandparents to Lung Cancer, and my Dad is now fighting Renal-Cell Cancer - to say I am passionate about ending Cancer%u2019s reign, is an understatement.

I would like to donate to SU2C, but I hesitate to because I want to be sure I am donating to the right cause. For example, I notice that the first two pieces of advice for %u201CWhat You Can Do [to End Cancer]%u201D are smoking related - Stop, and Never Start - which I whole-heartedly support. Because %u201CSU2C is committed to identifying the most promising opportunities and leveraging its fiscal and management resources to achieve a paradigm shift in clinical cancer research%u201D, will you be researching new, psychological methods to encourage people to either Stop, or Never Start smoking?

Psychology is a science, so I am hopeful that this is an option. If so, I have two suggestions for how to accomplish such endeavors.
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by ter1952 September 6, 2008 4:46 PM EDT
Katie,
Thank you and your colleagues the wonderful, informative and moving show last night.
It is so good to know so many advancements are being made in the fight agaisnt cancer. My Mom passed away 18 years ago today (6th); if she were here today she would have been right there cheering all the advances that are being made.
This also brought home to me the importance with screenings, I have put off my colonoscopy a couple of years now and I will be calling my Dr. this coming week to schedule one.....Thanks again for last night.
Ter1952
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by dammons1 September 6, 2008 2:32 PM EDT
katie, THINK YOU !! For last nite; I have had many members of my family die of cancer. Starting with dad in 1981. I was only 10 yaers old; the program,last nite brought me to tears.Right now Iam unemployed;due to the hardtimes here in columbus Ohio . I do go to columbus state and will donate 10% of my student loan this fall to stand up for cancer. Derrick Ammons/O.G.
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by joannameyers September 6, 2008 5:06 AM EDT
The children need the research...the dollars...the funding. Help the children. These kids fight hard every day...with no relief.... www.caringbridge.org/visit/paigestibgen
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by joannameyers September 6, 2008 5:04 AM EDT
It is my understanding that only 3% of the funds raised will go to Childhood Cancer. No child should die. We need cures. We need research. We can do better than 3%.
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by mmlake1 September 6, 2008 4:23 AM EDT
Why are all of you rich people asking for our money? Katie makes $15 million a year. She would be very rich with a third of that. Why doesn''t she donate $10 million/year. The same for the rest of the celebrity crowd. They have given more to Obama than to this cause. Jack Black asks them to donate 2% and thinks the rest of us should try to do the same. The 98% that I would have left to live on in far less than the 2% that they would kick in. Sorry, but you won''t get any "poor Katie" from me. I am a survivor for now and I lost my spouse to cancer. Unlike Katie, I took my time off from work before he died so I could care for him and not after to take care of myself. Sorry, if I sound a little bitter. I resent rich hypocrites who pretend to be do-gooders but aren''t. Study after study has shown that wealthy liberals are far less generous with charitable causes than less wealthy conservative people. But, golly, do they love the limelight...
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by mmlake1 September 6, 2008 4:22 AM EDT
Why are all of you rich people asking for our money? Katie makes $15 million a year. She would be very rich with a third of that. Why doesn''t she donate $10 million/year. The same for the rest of the celebrity crowd. They have given more to Obama than to this cause. Jack Black asks them to donate 2% and thinks the rest of us should try to do the same. The 98% that I would have left to live on in far less than the 2% that they would kick in. Sorry, but you won''t get any "poor Katie" from me. I am a survivor for now and I lost my spouse to cancer. Unlike Katie, I took my time off from work before he died so I could care for him and not after to take care of myself. Sorry, if I sound a little bitter. I resent rich hypocrites who pretend to be do-gooders but aren''t. Study after study has shown that wealthy liberals are far less generous with charitable causes than less wealthy conservative people. But, golly, do they love the limelight...
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by petersemkiw September 6, 2008 4:19 AM EDT
Congratulations on this outstanding telecast.
Stand Up to Cancer was a memorable, important, and hope inspiring television event which updated us on the advances made in treating cancer,including the advances in our understanding of how genetic factors may influence this disease, with informative comments by doctors,researchers and patients. The program also reminded us of the importance of regular screenings as well,with some entertaining vignettes from the doctor''s office as well. It was good to see famous familiar friends from the entertainment and sports communities participating, many of whom have had their own personal experiences with fighting cancer. The personal stories of the patients were very moving, and their courage in dealing with the disease was very inspiring. Patrick Swayze''s appearance at this special event was a most special moment. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and all cancer patients and their families, and may God Bless them.
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by antfox1 September 6, 2008 3:20 AM EDT
Tonights message was just what I needed. I had cancer surgery Aug 22 Melanoma on my leg- I am a lucky one that is now cancer free due to the surgery. This has made me a different person, it is a humbling experience. My oldest daughter also had Melanoma on her head and had to have her head shaved, if she can endure what she went through and be so strong, I could as well. God Bless all of you going through this. I did pledge tonight, from both my daughter and myself. Antoinette Fox,Orange County CA
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by antfox1 September 6, 2008 3:19 AM EDT
Tonights message was just what I needed. I had cancer surgery Aug 22 Melanoma on my leg- I am a lucky one that is now cancer free due to the surgery. This has made me a different person, it is a humbling experience. My oldest daughter also had Melanoma on her head and had to have her head shaved, if she can endure what she went through and be so strong, I could as well. God Bless all of you going through this. I did pledge tonight, from both my daughter and myself. Antoinette Fox,Orange County CA
Reply to this comment
by antfox1 September 6, 2008 3:18 AM EDT
Tonights message was just what I needed. I had cancer surgery Aug 22 Melanoma on my leg- I am a lucky one that is now cancer free due to the surgery. This has made me a different person, it is a humbling experience. My oldest daughter also had Melanoma on her head and had to have her head shaved, if she can endure what she went through and be so strong, I could as well. God Bless all of you going through this. I did pledge tonight, for both my daughter and myself. Antoinette Fox,Orange County CA
Reply to this comment
by blrosencrans September 6, 2008 2:33 AM EDT
I was disgusted by the way the benefit played out. To me this was a serious thing and I feel it was just an opportunity for Barack and his people to steal the spotlight from another candidate. I won''t support a careless place even if I could benefit from it. I was hoping that they would use this as an opportunity to bring America together by bring ALL candidates on. I changed over 45 minutes in. (when I seen Barack)
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by mooper3 September 6, 2008 1:23 AM EDT
I tried to call the entire time during the show on my land line phone and got the message...."Your Call Is Declined".
I live in Pa. My husband said to try the Cell phone and it was "All Lines are busy please try again".

How am I to donate money when WHO ever organized this did not follow thru....I mean 1 hour I tried to donate money.....Declined??? Try again later???
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by lipkist September 6, 2008 1:05 AM EDT
Cancer! Look around... don''t you wonder why so many have it NOW? Why it is growing ...not slowing?
The facts are out there... some wish to look beyond the facts and see only What the brainwashing media publish about THEIR facts that those in POWER want YOU to see.
I have learned much about cancer in the last 6 years and it is about MONEY!
If you look really hard, you will find that those with the money (MODERN DAY MAFIA)who have the power are usually the same who are in control of the chemicals in this nation! Whether it be for insecticides or pesticides or those who grow our food the wrong way... with CHEMICALS! Look at Monsanto.
We will get sicker and sicker until these people are found and made to show the real truth which is hidden and quieted by those in power so you and I keep donating and keep this monster going! It is a multi billion dollar business and why? because it scares the pants of you and me and through fear they have all of us!
You give money money money.
So give, I won''t. I will save it for organic foods and keep trying to help others who are dealing with this terrible disease and inform them one at a time because I don''t have the BIG BUCKS TO KEEP ANY MONSTER GOING. I hope you will help lead the questioning way against those in power who lie to us all.
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by jly2y2y September 6, 2008 12:33 AM EDT
I am a physician at the University of Virginia and I missed the first part of the show because I was admitting a patient from the emergency room. I am a gynecologic oncologist and treat when with cervical cancer as well as uterine and ovarian cancer. This patient is a 52 year old wife, mother, and sister who was diagnosed with metastatic cervical cancer this evening because she hasn''t had a pap smear in the last 10 years.

The pap smear has saved more lives than colonoscopy and prostate exams combined! Before pap smears, cervical cancer was the leading cause of death among reproductive age women. I could not believe that you didn''t mention pap smears in your top 10 things that you can do to prevent cancer. The vaccine will not change cervical cancer rates for 20-30 years so now more than ever we need to educate this generation about their need for pap smears to prevent cervical cancer. Please remember them and all the women before them who have died!

Jennifer Young
University of Virginia
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