Katie Couric and Michael Douglas Stand Up To Cancer

The Stand Up To Cancer 2010 telethon was carried by ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox networks and shown in multiple TV channels. The goal of the telethon was simple, entertain, educate and raise money that can help save lives and fight the lethal disease that affects practically everyone.

The telethon was hosted by news anchors Diane Sawyer, Brian Williams and Katie Couric and produced by Film and TV producer Laura Ziskin, who is a cancer survivor. Other celebrities taking part in the telethon include, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Cindy Crawford, Lance Armstrong, Elizabeth Edwards, Fran Drescher, Sally Field, Donald Faison, Tony Hawk, Alyson Hannigan, George Clooney, Jon HederWill Smith, Gwyneth Paltrow, Denzel Washington and Renée Zellweger.

Christina Applegate and Sofia Vergara were amongst the countless celebrity cancer surviving names on hand.

“Modern Family” star Vergara, 38, talked about beating thyroid cancer, which was diagnosed about 10 years ago. The Colombian actress said that cancer chapter was one of the toughest phases of her life that she dealt with, since she was really young and also had a child to look after.

Kelly Osbourne, 25, said her presence was entirely because of her mother Sharon’s battle with colon cancer. “I know how hard it is to watch somebody you love so much be so sick, and not know how to help them,” Osbourne noted.

Among those taking part via a taped segment was 65-year-old Michael Douglas. Star of the upcoming movie “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” Douglas was recently diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer, and has started a grueling treatment of radiation and chemotherapy.

Donations to the telecast will go to fund innovative cancer research. The first telethon, in 2008, helped raise more than $100 million. Numbers for the 2010 telethon were not immediately available.

Everyday, there are over 1,500 cancer related deaths in America, with a total of 8 million people succumbing to it, this year alone.

Reader's Comments

1. 

   I saw the Stand up 2 Cancer and was totally moved. My Dad and I are both survivors of Cancer. I am a survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and have been over four years in remission. I was diagnosed with the disease at 21 years old where I found a mass on my neck and later found out it was stage 4. It was a hard for time for me and my family. Last year we were dealt another blow when my father was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. He had stage 2 and underwent intensive radiation called the CyberKnife. Thankfully, he is well also. I have lost many friends to the disease and I hope within my lifetime and my parents, there will be a cure for Cancer. Cancer is just killing too many people and it is such a tragedy. My heart aches for people who have it and for people dealing with this horrific disease.
2. Warren on 11 Sep 2010 5:23 pm
3. 

   Katie:

   I watched the Show Stand Up 2 Cancer on Larry King Live. I am sorry for your personal tragedy and loss of your husband to Colon Cancer years ago. It was so SAD.

   Cancer is so devastating Disease and it does not discriminate rich and poor, race and color. It is so Sad that almost over 1500 people die every year in the country.

   Katie, When any television channel interviws medical experts , you all the times interview Medical Oncologists, Surgeons, Radiation Oncologists, but you never interview a Psychiatrist. There is so much Psychiatric and Psychosocial aspects of Cancer, Depression, anxiety, Suicide and many others, that I recommend you and all other anchors on ABC and NBC news that a Psychiatrist be included your interview panel.

   I have been speaking for the Hospice centers, Mental Health Centers, Cancer Centers and Mental Health meetings on ” Psychiatric Aspects of Cancer: A special Focus on Depression and Anxiety in Breast and Gynecological Cancers “. If you would like me to be included in your future interview panels , I will be happy to appear on your shows. I can be reached at my e-mail and I would be available on CBS Television Stations in Topeka, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.

   Please let me know

   I admire you, Diane Sawyer, Brian Williams, Dr. Gupta and Dr. Oz ( Great Docs ) for the great show on Larry King Live.

   Bal K. Sharma, MD
   Topeka, Kansas
4. Bal K. Sharma, MD on 12 Sep 2010 9:27 am
5. 

   Thank you and I appreciate for printing my comments. I hope Katie Couric, Brian Williams, Diane Sawyer, larry King, Dr. Gupta and Dr. Oz receive these comments from me .
6. Bal K. Sharma, MD on 12 Sep 2010 9:33 am
7. 

   Thank you.
8. Bal Sharma on 12 Sep 2010 9:50 am
9. 

   I also watched stand up for cancer. I myself had surgery in nov 08, i am 1yr and 8months had cervical
   cancer and have a lump on a kindey and two lymp nodes that we are watching. I lost my job my house
   and most of my family. With no assistance, i would be homeless if not for freinds. Just trying to get back on my feet.
   Thanks for all the help and hope you give people.
   and please let me know if there are oppurnuitys for people who need finacal help. Cant go for my scans like i am suppose to lost my insurance. was being treated at CTCA up north.
   once again thanks for listening
   vicki schmid
10. Vicki Schmid on 14 Sep 2010 8:53 pm