"Stand Up To Cancer"

On May 27, 2008, network anchors Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Charles Gibson announced a joint initiative, "Stand Up To Cancer," during live appearances on The Early Show, Today and Good Morning America. In an unprecedented network partnership, CBS, ABC and NBC will donate one hour of commercial-free primetime for a nationally televised fundraiser to fight cancer on Sept. 5, 2008.

The fight against cancer will unite TV networks, movie studios and A-list stars on Sept. 5, 2008. The live fund- and awareness-raising TV special will air simultaneously on ABC, NBC and CBS. Added to the lineup on Aug. 27 are Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Jack Black, Sheryl Crow, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Garner, Diane Keaton, Rob Lowe and Keanu Reeves.

What would it sound like if 15 of the hottest female singers joined voices? The answer will be revealed on Sept. 2, when "Just Stand Up" hits airwaves and iTunes. Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna are among the group of singers who will perform their single, which will benefit cancer research, during the Sept. 5 program.

Oscar winner Meryl Streep is among the celebrities volunteering their time for the effort. During the telethon, viewers will be invited to make donations by calling the celebrity-staffed phone bank or by texting.

The hour-long "Stand Up To Cancer" special will air live and commercial-free on ABC, CBS and NBC on Sept. 5 and feature musical performances and appeals from actors, like Oscar winners Forest Whitaker and Sally Field, athletes and journalists.

"American Idol" winner David Cook has pledged his support to the cause, which is close to his heart. Cook's brother, Adam, has been battling brain cancer for 10 years.

Christina Applegate is scheduled to appear on the "Stand Up To Cancer" benefit. The "Samantha Who" star revealed in August that she underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. The actress, 36, elected to remove both breasts even though the disease was contained in one breast. She said she is now cancer-free.

Homer and Marge Simpson will be making an appearance at the telethon, which is part of a broader initiative aimed at raising money to quicken the pace of research leading to development of new treatments.

It's an ugly statistic: Every 60 seconds someone dies from cancer. "Ugly Betty" and "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" star America Ferrera will be among the stars working to raise awareness and money for cancer research during the TV special on Sept. 5.

Cancer survivors Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards and seven time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong leave the field before a Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers baseball game July 21, 2008, in Chicago. They were filming a "Stand Up To Cancer" foundation promotion at the stadium. The hour-long program will air live and commercial-free on ABC, CBS and NBC on Sept. 5.

"How I Met Your Mother's" Neil Patrick Harris is among the celebrities scheduled to appear on the "Stand Up To Cancer" TV special to be aired live on ABC, CBS and NBC from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sept. 5, 2008.

Julia Louis Dreyfus, the star of "The New Adventures of Old Christine," joins the all-star effort to battle cancer in a rare television fundraiser on Sept. 5, 2008.

Actor and producer Salma Hayek will "Stand Up To Cancer" on Sept. 5, 2008. The all-star event will air simultaneously and commercial-free on three rival U.S. TV networks -- ABC, CBS and NBC -- during prime-time hours, and organizers hope to raise millions of dollars to fight the disease.

Fran Drescher stood up to cancer and continues to do so. In 2000, the actress was diagnosed with stage 1 uterine cancer. Emergency surgery caught it early, and Drescher has been given a clean bill of health. She wrote about her experiences in her second book, "Cancer Schmancer," and has started a movement to ensure all women's cancers are diaganosed early -- when they are most curable.

Actress Christina Ricci is among the extraordinary line-up of actors, musicians, athletes and journalists banding together for "Stand Up To Cancer" -- the ground breaking initiative aimed at raising funds to accelerate cancer research and bring new therapies to patients more quickly.

Casey Affleck and sister-in-law Jennifer Garner are lending their star power to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Affleck, along with fellow actors Susan Sarandon, Sidney Portier, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Christian Ricci and Keanu Reeves are currently appearing in "SU2C" public service announcements.

"Friends" star Jennifer Aniston will return to television to "stand up" in the battle against cancer in a rare primetime television fundraiser that will air simultaneously on CBS, ABC and NBC on Sept. 5. Other A-list stars scheduled to appear include Kirsten Dunst, Josh Brolin and Scarlett Johansson.

At this summer's All-Star Game, Major League Baseball unveiled an innovative text-to-donate initiative which is running in baseball stadiums across the country throughout the summer. Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig unveiled the program alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Sheryl Crow on July 15, 2008 in New York.