Stand Up to Cancer is returning for a fourth TV special.
Dozens of broadcast and cable networks will air the one-hour telethon directed to raise money for research toward new cancer treatments. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gwyneth Paltrow and Joel Gallen are returning to produce the telecast for a second time. Performers have yet to be announced for the commercial-free broadcast.
"Cancer profoundly touched my life when I lost my father to the disease 12 years ago, and Stand Up To Cancer gives me a powerful platform to fight for a cause that I'm passionate about," Paltrow said in a statement, according to the Entertainment Industry Foundation. "I am thrilled to join Joel Gallen to executive produce the Stand Up To Cancer telecast again this year, and honored to continue standing up in my father's memory."
The organization was co-founded by Paltrow, Laura Ziskin, Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing and others from the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Paltrow helped launch the project after her father, writer-producer Bruce Paltrow, died of throat cancer in 2002.
"This program offers a unique opportunity to share the story of our progress and to remind viewers that each and every individual can play a role in supporting these scientists and their tireless work on behalf of patients," Couric said.
"Stand Up to Cancer" will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. All funds collected will be donated to cancer research. The telecast will include "top recording artists and celebrities from film and television," who will make public donations.
"We are all in this mission together: to turn cancer patients into cancer survivors. It is an honor to be part of a show and a movement that sets a great challenge and works tirelessly to meet it," Gallen, president of Tenth Planet Productions said. "This terrible disease has taken too many loved ones and on this special night, we're working together to raise awareness and funds for the groundbreaking research that is saving people's lives. This year, our commitment is stronger than ever. "
The three pervious telecasts - which aired in 2008, 2010 and 2012 - raised a total of more than $261 million. Celebrity participants included Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Aniston, Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, Justin Timberlake, Scarlett Johansson, Tim McGraw, Julia Roberts, and Matt Damon.
"Stand Up to Cancer" will premiere on Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. on ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, HBO, Showtime, Lifetime, Starz, TNT, VH1, ESPNews and several other outlets.
For more about SU2C, go to standup2cancer.org.
