Katie Couric is ready to ‘Stand Up to Cancer’ anew
BY JAY BOBBIN
A decade ago, Katie Couric first helped inspire many celebrities to “Stand Up to Cancer.” Since then, the fundraising event that shares its name with a year-round campaign has aired every other year across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. It does so again as 60plus outlets – including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox – simultaneously present the special Friday, Sept. 7, with actor Bradley Cooper an executive producer again, as numerous personalities highlight advances made in cancer research through donations pledged by individuals and organizations ... amounting to more than $480 million over the past 10 years. “I think milestones are really important and valuable when measuring success and taking stock,” Stand Up to Cancer co-founder Couric reflects. “This is an opportunity to celebrate our success and commit to the future as well. I could not be more proud of what has been accomplished by a whole host of people. It takes a village to come up with better cancer treatment, and I think we’ve galvanized not just a village, but an entire international community.” The many stars who have participated in the Stand Up to Cancer initiative have ranged from Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks to Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake. It also involves “Dream Teams” of experts in medicine and science; the pancreatic cancer team is a joint venture with
Katie Couric returns with the 10th-anniversary edition of “Stand Up to Cancer” Friday on many networks simultaneously.
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the UK-Lustgarten Foundation, and the cancer immunology team also encompasses the Cancer Research Institute. As she reflects on Stand Up to Cancer’s history, Couric notes how gratified she is “to see how many drugs have been approved by the FDA, to see how many people have gone to get screenings, to see how technology has turbocharged research. This is an opportunity to really revel in what we’ve been able to do.” Couric cites former Vice President Joseph Biden and philanthropist Sean Parker among others who are “really focusing on cancer. There is so much happening in the world of cancer research, with technology and data and basic science. We call it ‘convergence.’ where all these different disciplines can really get together and help unravel the mystery of this disease. “Ever since Jay was diagnosed,” Couric says in reference to her late husband Jay Monahan, “I’ve seen so many changes. It’s not so tumor-specific. We’re looking at treatments that may help cure melanoma or may help cure another kind of cancer. There’s a lot of intersectionality, as they say, and we’re really starting to understand the mechanics of this hideous disease that can outwit its most powerful foes – and to figure out how all these different approaches can stop it in its tracks. If this is the first line in my obituary, I’ll be very, very proud.”
In Focus
Celebrities come together to highlight advances made in cancer research and raise funds toward finding its cure in “Stand Up to Cancer,” airing on multiple networks on Friday. Learn more about the initiative at standuptocancer.org “Sons of Anarchy” creator Kurt Sutter comes forth with this spinoff that follows the struggles of an ex-convict motorcycle gang member (J.D. Pardo) in “Mayans M.C.,” premiering Tuesday on FX. Find out more at www.fxnetworks.com/shows/
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Anderson and William Baldwin star in “The Purge,” premiering Tuesday on USA Network. Go to www.usanetwork.com/
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The life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg are the subjects of the documentary “RBG,” premiering Monday on CNN. For more information, go to www.rbgmovie.
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The hit movie franchise inspired this series about a 12-hour window where all crime including murder is legal as Hannah Emily
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“Single Parents” (series premiere, Sept. 26 — ABC)
From the makers of “New Girl” comes this series being billed as an “edgy” family comedy, which follows a group of single parents who form a support system as they raise their 7-year-olds and struggle to begin new relationships. Taran Killam (“Saturday Night Live”), Leighton Meester (“Gossip Girl”), Brad Garrett (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) and Kimrie Lewis (“Peeples”) head the ensemble cast.
September 2 - 8, 2018