Canadian Broadcasters Donate Airtime to Cancer Fundraising Special

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TORONTO: Canada’s CHCH, Citytv, CTV and Global have dedicated one hour of commercial-free broadcast time on September 7 at 8 p.m. to air the special Stand Up to Cancer, a live fundraising event.

Gwyneth Paltrow is executive producing the fundraising telecast with Joel Gallen, both of Tenth Planet Productions. The Entertainment Industry Foundation has set up the program, building on two previous fundraising telecasts in 2008 and 2010. The special will feature performances from top recording artists and celebrities from film, TV and sport. Among those slated to perform are Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Alicia Keys and Tim McGraw.

CHCH, Citytv, CTV and Global are donating one hour of simultaneous commercial-free prime-time TV for the special. In the U.S., ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, along with BIO, E!, Encore, HBO, HBO Latino, ION Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Logo, MLB Network, mun2, Palladia, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, Starz, Style, TBS and VH1, are on board.

"Music and its ability to heal, unite and motivate will play a central role in this year’s show, as will the stories of people affected by cancer and how SU2C is changing their lives," Gallen said. "It’s an honor to build on the terrific legacy Laura Ziskin established with the previous two broadcasts."

"Stand Up to Cancer demonstrates the power of the entertainment community to help unite the public in support of a crucial cause that affects us all," said Sherry Lansing, SU2C executive leadership council member. "We’re very grateful to Gwyneth and Joel for leading the charge this year, and continuing to foster this important movement."

"We set out to convince the public that this is a moment of great promise in cancer research, and that each and every person can play a role in helping the scientists who are working so hard to end this terrible disease," commented Katie Couric, Stand Up to Cancer executive leadership council member. "Only four years into our work, we are delighted with the results. Our SU2C dream teams of scientists have made important strides, all for the benefit of patients, and we are excited to share that progress through the show."