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Stars "Stand Up To Cancer"

Hollywood is using its star power in the fight against cancer.

In the hopes of helping to make an impact, Hollywood celebrities are joining a massive campaign called Stand Up To Cancer which is aimed at raising funds to accelerate cancer research as well as uniting the American people and building awareness for the significant advances in cancer treatment.

For the first time in history, actors, musicians, sports figures and newscasters will be taking a stand together in a nationally-televised event on Sept. 5, which will be simultaneously broadcast live and commercial free on ABC, CBS and NBC at 8 p.m. EST and PST.

Network news anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams will team up and report on potentially life-saving research and will share insightful interviews with both patients and scientists.

"Both in the entertainment community and with the American people, the momentum continues to build for this cause," said award-winning film producer Laura Ziskin, who is the executive producer of the Sept. 5 broadcast. "We're setting out to give the public a show that is entertaining and inspiring, and we're starting a movement that can revolutionize the way we approach this disease."

Additions to the stellar Hollywood lineup scheduled to appear on the Stand Up To Cancer broadcast include: Jessica Alba, Charles Barkley, Halle Berry, Jack Black, Abigail Breslin, Kate Bosworth, Sheryl Crow, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Garner, Brad Garrett, Angie Harmon, Tony Hawk, Marg Helgenberger, Diane Keaton, Rob Lowe, Mandy Moore, Don Newcombe, Sharon Osbourne, Josh Peck, Mekhi Phifer, Keanu Reeves, Jimmy Smits, David Spade and Carrie Underwood.

They join the previously announced line-up including: Casey Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, Josh Brolin, David Cook, Dana Delany, Fran Drescher, Kirsten Dunst, Elizabeth Edwards, Jon Favreau, America Ferrera, Neil Patrick Harris, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Masi Oka, Danica Patrick, Christina Ricci, Robin Roberts, Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig, Homer Simpson, Marge Simpson, Meryl Streep, Hilary Swank, Charlize Theron, Goran Visnjic and Forest Whitaker.

In addition, the Sept. 5 broadcast will feature the premiere of "Just Stand Up," a song benefiting Stand Up To Cancer produced by L.A. Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

Notable female artists, who will lend their impressive set of pipes include: Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood.

"Just Stand Up" is available for purchase on iTunes and mobile carriers worldwide.

Celebrities have used other channels to send out the message by participating in a series of PSAs (public service announcements) and original web content.

For example, Jessica Biel teamed up with Major League Baseball to unveil its text-to-donate initiative, which is running in baseball stadiums across the country throughout the summer.

Commissioner Bud Selig unveiled the program alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Sheryl Crow.

Stand Up To Cancer also established a multiplatform presence on the web with:

  • SUTV video segments featuring the cast of "The Daily Show" as well as Larry David and the moving SU2C PSA directed by David Fincher.
  • The Constellation: where for a dollar donation or more, users can launch a star in honor of anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis.
  • The Stand: an interactive Facebook application illustrating how we are all connected by this disease.

    Almost every American has been affected by cancer in some way, shape or form, whether it is immediate family members, relatives or friends or through stories heard in passing.

    Every day, cancer kills 1,500 Americans - one person every minute. Sadly, this year, more than 550,000 Americans and six million people worldwide will die from the heartbreaking disease.

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