Stand Up 2 Cancer

Today is the second anniversary broadcast of Stand Up 2 Cancer. It will be on every network that matters at 8 PM EST.

For as long as I can remember, my Mother had skin cancer. Trips to the dermatologist, surgery, radiation, and other treatments became the norm. But she never let cancer stop her from living. She was a quiet fighter. She was born with Polio, but that didn't stop her from walking normally. In 2006, the cancer spread to her brain and lungs. I moved home to help care for her, stopped living for me, and started living for her. In April 2007, my Mom died. I've begun living for me again, and definitely live for her now. In her honor, I stand up to cancer. And although she didn't know it, I think Meryl Streep did this for my Mom. Join me. Spread the word. Donate now. And Stand Up 2 Cancer!

And a crazy thought? If all of my facebook friends donated $12.23, we collectively would raise more than $10,000 for cancer research and advocacy. To those who have donated already, I thank you. To those who haven't, $12 is less than 3 grande drinks at Starbucks.

To those who have donated to my team, I thank you. If you are considering a donation, please donate to my team. I'm trying to raise $10,000 in honor of my Mom and all the fabulous women in my life who have battled this awful disease. This is where the end of cancer begins: http://su2c.standup2cancer.org/custom/?c=team&a=index&id=4007

don't be a statistic

Jennifer Saunders is Ab Fab

One of my favourite shows of all time is Absolutely Fabulous, a brilliant British comedy about two fabulous friends Patsy and Edina and their luxurious and over-the-top lifestyle. It's one of those shows that you enjoy watching most by yourself, because you don't want people to judge you for laughing hysterically at inappropriate jokes, behaviour, and portrayals.

I'm saddened to report that Jennifer Saunders, who plays public relations mogul Edina Monsoon, is fighting breast cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Saunders during this tremendous fight.



Cancer is never en vogue and it's certainly fabulous, either!

To learn more about cancer prevention, to donate crucial funds so desperately needed for research and advocacy, and find out more about making a difference, join my team at Stand Up 2 Cancer.

What would you give?

I literally have goosebumps. Over the past 24 hours, my Mom and cancer advocacy have been consuming my mind. I woke up this morning and have had a beautiful, quiet morning. I saw one of my favourite bands (OneRepublic) perform live on one of my favourite morning shows (The Today Show) and drank some delicious Florida orange juice. I walked the puppies in the warm, glowing sunshine. And I've been watching videos on the Stand Up 2 Cancer website for the past hour or so. I first got pretty emotional when I saw the "who do you stand up for" video, and one of the celebrities writes it's "up 2 sons"... and now I'm seeing one of my favourite actresses talk about something so personal to me. My Mom was born with polio, and was helped so graciously by the March of Dimes. And my Mom died with cancer.

Do you know that feeling of going shopping for shoes, while wearing new shoes? Now multiple that infinite times. That's how I imagine you'd feel if it was your dollar that finally finds the cure for cancer.

Take a look. Join my team. Donate now. And Stand Up 2 Cancer.

who do you stand for?

It's no secret that cancer advocacy and prevention are always on my mind. As much as I love fashion and the luxury lifestyle, I really live for this most worthy cause. On the 3rd anniversary of my Mother's death from this terrible disease, I began a team with Stand Up 2 Cancer to raise funds, awareness, and opportunities to really make a difference. The team is called Debbie's Dreamers. I'm trying to raise US$10,000 in one year.

When someone you love dies, you often dream of them. And I know that my Mom dreamed of a world without cancer. I share that dream. So I thought the name was fitting. We are Debbie's dreamers.

Join my team. Donate anything you can. Spread the word. Offer your time to your local hospitals and hospice. Advocate for a healthier lifestyle.

And it's only more fitting that I've started this team when I did, because the organization as a whole is celebrating it's second anniversary. Below you'll find the official press release outlining one of the many opportunities to get involved. Cancer touches us all. So join me, and Stand Up 2 Cancer.

May 27, 2010 (Los Angeles / New York) – In celebration of its two year anniversary on May 28, 2010, Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) has launched the Dave Stewart “Up2 You” Video Challenge. The Dave Stewart “Up2 You” Video Challenge invites the public to upload a YouTube video in response to Dave Stewart’s powerful song “Stand Up To Cancer” which has become the anthem for the organization.

The song is featured in a PSA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yxwtsVIQSQ) directed by Jesse Dylan (will.i.am’s “Yes We Can”) and features the music and vocals of Stewart, Joss Stone and violin virtuoso, Ann Marie Calhoun. The challenge encourages everyone to show how they stand up to cancer by recording their own rendition and submitting their video entry on SU2C’s YouTube channel*. All valid entries may be eligible to be included in the September 10^th telecast.

“Dave has given us a powerful anthem which is a testament to all 12 million cancer survivors as well as a moving elegy to the millions we have lost from the disease,” said Laura Ziskin, Co-Founder of Stand Up To Cancer. “For a long time, the word ‘cancer’ was taboo, you didn’t say it out loud. It was whispered. Now that Dave has fearlessly put the word in this song, we are urging the public to be more open to talking about the disease and fighting it side by side with our organization.”

“This song is something I hope will inspire conviction while also acknowledging the loss caused by this merciless disease,” said Dave Stewart. “I encourage everyone who has been touched by cancer to listen to this anthem, enter the contest and make it their own. ‘Stand Up’ and participate for those you’ve loved, those you’ve lost, and for those who are in the fight.”

Here are the challenge details:

Entries will be accepted from May 27^th through July 30^th, 2010 on Stand Up to Cancer’s YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/su2c).

• From August 12^th-19^th, the public will be able to vote for their favorite semi-finalists on Stand Up to Cancer’s YouTube channel.
• From August 23^rd -27^th, the celebrity panel voting committee which will include Dave Stewart, Jesse Dylan, and SU2C Co-Founder, Laura Ziskin will go through the finalists and select the top 5 winners and the Grand Prize winner.
• A Grand Prize winner will be announced on September 1, 2010 from the top five videos and will win a Takamine guitar valued at $3,999.
• All valid entries may be eligible to be featured in the 2010 Stand Up to Cancer telecast. SU2C will contact those entrants whose videos are being considered by September 1, 2010.

With a return to primetime television on September 10, 2010, at 8PM EST & PST / 7PM CT, Stand Up To Cancer will follow up its historic 2008 fundraising telecast with a star-studded appeal to build continuing public support and donations for cutting-edge cancer research that translates at a rapid pace from the laboratory to treatments and technologies that benefit patients.

ABC, CBS and NBC are donating one hour of simultaneous commercial-free primetime for the nationally televised September 10^th fundraising special, to be telecast from Los Angeles. HBO, Discovery Health, E!, MLB Network and The Style Network will also carry the show this year, and other networks and cable channels are expected to join the effort. The program will include calls to donate through designated phone lines, as well as to the standup2cancer.org web site. One hundred percent of all public donations go directly to cancer research.

The primary goal of SU2C is to raise funds for groundbreaking translational research to accelerate the delivery of new therapies to patients, getting them from the “bench to the bedside” as quickly as possible. SU2C brings together scientists from different disciplines across various institutions to work collaboratively -- rather than competitively -- at a critical time in the field of cancer research.

For more detailed information about Stand Up To Cancer please visit www.standup2cancer.org

Remembering Our Mothers

Today is the 3rd anniversary of my Mom's death.

We all know that when you look good, you feel better. So make the sidewalk your catwalk and stand up to cancer with me.

Join my team now at SU2C. It's called "Debbie's Dreamers".

Thank you.