Facing the truth and the light

I lay on the bed crying as my oncologist bows his head and prays with me, holding my hand. That is when you know the news is bad.
He had just told me that the chemotherapy drugs that I have been taking, and mind you, they are the strongest ones available, have not been helping at all. My liver has grown, along with the number of tumors growing inside.
“Can any other drugs help?” I ask.
He said there are some non-chemotherapy drugs that will work like one of them, but the chances of it actually helping me are less than 20 per cent. Also the side effects are acne and rashes ranging from my lower face down to my chest.
“No thank you, it’s not worth it,” I said.
Basically, I’ve been given a couple months. My oncologist was actually surprised to find that my liver has lasted this long, with no signs of jaundice:
“(A) medical condition in which too much bilirubin - a compound produced by the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells - is circulating in the blood. The excess bilirubin causes the skin, eyes, and the mucus membranes in the mouth to turn a yellowish color. If the cause is not treated, it can lead to liver failure,” according to WebMD.com.
“So where do we go from here?” I ask.
He will give me the necessary drugs to make sure my last few months are comfortable. He also laughed when I asked if I can drink again. He nodded and said yes.
Just in case if you all were wondering, chemotherapy and alcohol does not mix well. Either I talk for hours and not realize it or I get sick as a dog. So it has been four months since my last drink, which was orange juice with a smidge of vodka. Thankfully, my fiancé loves Budweiser as a marinade for his steaks, so I am going to be one happy camper.
The other good news is that my hair will come back now. For months, I have been shedding like a Newfoundland in the spring. In the last month, after I shower, I have pulled out clumps the size of my hand.
Any woman will tell you, it is very hard emotionally to watch my naturally thick hair thin out to almost nothing. For this reason, I have not allowed any pictures of myself to be taken without a hat.
But I do not have to worry about it now. My hair is already starting to shed less and hopefully in a few months, my hair will be back to its natural state. Normally hair returns two to three months after chemotherapy, and depending on the person, it comes back thicker and either wavier or curlier. In my case, I will still have my mother’s wavy, thick hair.
So how is this going to change my future?
Well, my wedding plans are definitely going to have to be pushed up, so I can actually have energy to get through the ceremony. While my fiancé is happy to just go to the local justice of the peace, I want to get married in Nevada. Sorry, this is where my politics come out.
I am not and will not be a “Party B” according to my marriage license. Since homosexual marriages were approved this last June, to make the marriage licenses neutral for all wedded couples, the “Groom/Bride” portion has been replaced with “Party A/Party B.” I would rather fly to Las Vegas and officially be a “Bride” than to stay in California and be a “Party B.”
OK, that is the end of my rant.
And I do have to check with a lawyer to speak about a will and other financial questions, to prepare for the end.
I will still work as long as I can drive to the Citizen’s office. When I can no longer drive, I will work from home and just e-mail my stories to my editor.
Am I scared of the end?
No one really wants to die. I would rather give up my left arm or all of my hair to stay with my fiancé and grow old with him. I would even sacrifice my chances of having children if I can stay with him for 10 years or 50 years. I can live with just having puppies.
But I remember my grandmother’s last week on this world. She was talking with someone (whom I could not see) and she introduced me to this person. I knew then that her mother came to comfort her and my grandmother would not be going to the next world alone.
That gives me comfort. I know that my grandmother will be waiting for me on a very comfortable couch in front of a big screen Plasma TV with the NASCAR race on. And my dog Braveheart will be there, ready to jump up on me and give me puppy kisses. Also my fiancé’s grandmother will be waiting for me too, ready to give me a huge hug and kiss.
I will miss the people that I leave behind, but I know I will live in their hearts forever. And with the thousands of pictures that my friends and I have taken in our years at the Sacramento State Hornet newspaper, they will remember me full of life and healthy.

In memory of Paul Newman

I've always been a fan of Paul Newman ... the ultimate masculine man in the late 1950s. Plus you have to love those blue eyes. No matter what, thanks to DVD, we will always have those blue eyes. He was a good man and will be sorely missed. Included is a clip from one of my favorite movies of all time.



Paul Newman, Hollywood's anti-hero, dies at 83

By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN, Associated Press Writer 21 minutes ago

WESTPORT, Conn. - Paul Newman never much cared for what he once called the "rubbish" of Hollywood, choosing to live in a quiet community on the opposite corner of the U.S. map, staying with his wife of many years and — long after he became bored with acting — pursuing his dual passions of philanthropy and race cars.
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And yet despite enormous success in both endeavors and a vile distaste for celebrity, the Oscar-winning actor never lost the aura of a towering Hollywood movie star, turning in roles later in life that carried all the blue-eyed, heartthrob cool of his anti-hero performances in "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

The 10-time Academy Award nominee died Friday at age 83, surrounded by family and close friends at his Westport farmhouse following a long battle with cancer, publicist Jeff Sanderson said Saturday.

Click the title link to view the entire article.

Just an update

I know I've posted a lot of national stories lately and haven't really put the focus on me. So since I have a little bit of free time, here we go.

Last week was not a good week. I received chemotherapy again and complained to my oncologist about a pain in my stomach. High on my stomach (near my diaphram) was a hard section of muscle or tissue. If I coughed, I doubled over in pain.
My doctor gave me Perkoset, which is a younger cousin of Vicatin (which makes me throw up). After one day, I was feeling no pain, but I was feeling major nausea. So I requested to go back to Tylenol with Codeine. The Tylenol mixed with a little Icy-Hot and I'm good.
But I did have a CT scan on Friday, so we'll see sometime this week of what's going on in my tummy.
But last week really affected my work. On Wednesday, I only worked one hour and I couldn't make it to work on Friday at all.
But today, I'm doing all right. There's a little pain in my back, but I'm doing good.

Baker Curb Racing joins cancer awareness fight

By SceneDaily Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2008

Jason Keller's No. 27 NASCAR Nationwide Series entry will carry a special paint scheme this weekend as part of a project to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Keller's car will carry the slogan, “Driven to End Prostate Cancer,” during the Camping World RV Sales 200 at Dover International Speedway. That is part of an ongoing project between Kimberly-Clark, through its Depend brand, Rite Aid Pharmacy and ZERO - the project to end prostate cancer - to encourage NASCAR fans to pay attention to prostate health.

Under the program titled, “Do it for those who count on you,” the Depend brand will promote health awareness among male fans and their families.

Click the title link to view the entire article.

Colon X-ray seen as effective at spotting cancer

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer 22 minutes ago

ATLANTA - A long-awaited federal study of an X-ray alternative to the dreaded colonoscopy confirms its effectiveness at spotting most cancers, although it was far from perfect.


Medicare is already considering paying for this cheaper, less intrusive option that could persuade more people to get screened for colon cancer. And some experts believe the new method may boost the 50 percent screening rate for a cancer that is the country's second biggest killer.

"We're talking about for the first time really screening the population," said Dr. Carl Jaffe, an imaging expert at the National Cancer Institute who was not involved in the research.

Click the title link to view the entire article.

Pink Floyd mourns Richard Wright

Pink Floyd mourn keyboardist Wright

3 hours ago

Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour paid tribute to his "musical partner and friend" Richard Wright.

Gilmour said the band's keyboardist, who died of cancer at 65, was "gentle, unassuming and private but his soulful voice and playing were vital, magical components of our most recognised Pink Floyd sound.

"Like Rick, I don't find it easy to express my feelings in words, but I loved him and will miss him enormously. I have never played with anyone quite like him," he said.

Wright played the keyboard with the guitar group and wrote music for classic albums The Dark Side Of The Moon and Wish You Were Here.

Click the title link to read the entire article.

New drug approved to help with nausea

Chemo Nausea Patch Approved

5-Day Sancuso Patch Fights Nausea From Cancer Chemotherapy
By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Sept. 15, 2008 -- The FDA has approved Sancuso, a five-day patch that fights nausea from cancer chemotherapy.

Sancuso continuously delivers a steady dose of a drug called granisetron, which blocks serotonin receptors and helps prevent nausea.

Nausea is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Not all chemotherapy patients experience this side effect, but it can be life- threatening. Some patients have to prematurely stop their cancer treatment because of severe nausea and vomiting.

Granisetron, delivered by injection or orally via tablets or solution, is sold under the brand name Kytril by Roche Pharmaceuticals. The Sancuso patch is from Scotland-based ProStrakan International.

Click the title link to read the entire article.

Few hospitals meet colon cancer standards

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer Tue Sep 9, 5:32 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Nearly two-thirds of hospitals fail to check colon cancer patients well enough for signs that their tumor is spreading, says a study that advises patients to ask about this mark of quality care before surgery.

National guidelines say when colon cancer is removed, doctors should check at least 12 lymph nodes for signs of spread. Checking fewer than 12 isn't considered enough to be sure the cancer is contained.

But a study of nearly 1,300 hospitals found that overall, just 38 percent fully comply with the guideline, Northwestern University researchers report Tuesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Click the title to read the entire article.

To accept charity or not

Last week I received a call from a woman who read one of my columns and asked “What do you need?”
At first I was thrown off-course. I did not know what to say because I never had a complete stranger come up to me to ask me that question.
Growing up with my grandmother, a lot of the Great Depression morals and mindsets were instilled in me. Do not waste food, unless it makes you want to throw up. Do not lend out money. And if you must borrow money or an object, pay it back as soon as possible.
After 25 years of living with this mindset, it is kind of hard to just say, “Sure, I’ll take your charity. Thanks a bunch.”
But I guess I have to remember a couple of things. First of all, we are no longer in the Great Depression. The mindsets of the 1920s and 1930s have been replaced with several wars and a stabilized economy.
The stubborn pride of hardworking men and women in that era has been replaced as well with the charitable and sometimes selfish mood of the modern era.
Also there are more charities today then there were in the Depression era, where usually only the well-off could afford to donate money.
Every day in this modern era, millions of dollars are donated to all sorts of charities, ranging from the huge organizations, like the American Red Cross, to bank accounts opened for people involved in an accident or who have a disease.
Also in this high-tech world, people feel like they know one another from MySpace profiles and Internet blogs. A person’s entire life can be found with just a couple clicks on the keyboard.
My editor told me right after I stopped working in March after I was diagnosed, lots of people asked if there was a bank account set up for me to help with the medical expenses. He said no and he felt it was not the right time to call and ask me if I wanted to set something up.
As my editor was telling me about this, another reporter asked a very poignant question: If an account is set up for you, will Medi-Cal drop you?
This question has been running in my mind ever since.
Medi-Cal already has certain rules: You must be younger than 21 years old or more than 65 years old to qualify. Though if you do have dependants, you can be between 21 and 65 years of age.
Because I did not qualify under any of these circumstances, Medi-Cal had to use my cancer as a disability. The only consequence is the process would take four to six months.
I have been told by one social worker that I can only have $3,000 total in my bank account, whereas another social worker said as long as the money is going toward living and medical expenses, I can have more than $3,000.
Talking this over with my fiancé, we agreed it would be best not to set up an account for people to donate. Because what if only $20,000 was raised and Medi-Cal said, “Oh, you have money. So we’re going to drop your file in the trash?” I would still need about $60,000 to pay the medical bills.
So I appreciate everyone who has offered to donate money to help me with my medical expenses and to even those who have offered to go shopping for me or who have asked if I need anything for my new house.
But I hope this article gives you a little insight into my dilemma and why I politely refuse any monetary or food gifts and only ask for your good wishes and prayers.

Colon cancer patients not getting follow-up care

By STEPHANIE NANO, Associated Press Writer Mon Sep 8, 7:31 AM ET

NEW YORK - Many colon cancer patients aren't getting the screenings recommended after surgery to make sure the disease hasn't returned, new research shows.

Only about 40 percent of the 4,426 older patients in the study got all the doctor visits, blood tests and the colonoscopy advised in the three years after cancer surgery, according to the results released Monday by the journal Cancer.

While nearly all made the doctor visits and almost three-quarters got a colonoscopy, many didn't get the blood tests that can signal a return of colon cancer, according to the researchers at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.

Click the title to view the entire article.

Cancer Telethon Donations Top $100M

By Associated PressSeptember 7, 2008, 12:07 pm PDT

NEW YORK - Spurred by an historic telethon Friday night, viewers stood up to cancer and pushed total donations for research to battle the disease past the $100 million mark.

That dollar figure reflects contributions from viewers of the telethon, "Stand Up to Cancer," as well as money raised since late May, when the Stand Up to Cancer initiative was launched, according to Lisa Paulsen, head of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the charitable organization behind Stand Up to Cancer.

"One hundred percent of the more than $100 million raised will go directly to funding the research programs necessary to battle this insidious disease," said Paulsen in a statement Sunday that accompanied the announcement.

Click on the title link to view the entire story.

Genetic Mutations Linked to Deadly Cancers

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter 10 minutes ago

THURSDAY, Sept. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Potentially groundbreaking discoveries involving genetic mutations of two deadly cancers -- the brain cancer glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer -- may lead to new treatments and even cures, researchers say.

"These studies represent the most complete genetic analysis to date of any tumor type and provide a detailed genetic map of these deadly cancers," Kenneth Kinzler, a professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University, and co-author of the study on pancreatic cancer, said during a teleconference Wednesday.

Click on the title link to read this entire story.

Study: New way to spot brest cancer

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer Wed Sep 3, 11:51 PM ET

A radioactive tracer that "lights up" cancer hiding inside dense breasts showed promise in its first big test against mammograms, revealing more tumors and giving fewer false alarms, doctors reported Wednesday.

The experimental method — molecular breast imaging, or MBI — would not replace mammograms for women at average risk of the disease.

Click on the title link to read the entire story.

Don't be scared of tests

My aunt just told me her aunt has been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. At 58 years old, her aunt would have been diagnosed sooner if she had done a colonoscopy earlier as told by the doctors.

The question arises: Why are people so reluctant to just get tested for certain types of cancers?

Well, there are several reasons. One of the reasons is people think that since only one distant relative in the family had a certain cancer, there’s really no reason to get tested. This is complete nonsense.

Whether your mother or great-great grandfather had cancer or even another disease, you should get tested to make sure you are not at risk. If any disease has a genetic factor, then it can be passed down to any descendant.

Or if there’s an environmental reason and someone close to you, like a neighbor or relative you’re living with gets cancer, then you should get tested. For example, if a local factory or mill has been shown to cause cancer via the chemicals, it can affect anyone in that community.

Some people may also believe that insurance companies will not pay for these tests if you are either “too young” for a certain disease or that your family history does not dictate any problems.

Technically, all insurance companies should allow you to take tests and either pay partially or the entire bill. Even if you have to pay $100 for a mammogram, it would be well worth it to know the results.

But the main reason I believe people do not take these tests is because people are scared. People are scared of the discomfort of the test, which is understandable if you have no idea about the procedure. I was nervous about having my colonoscopy, but my uncle reassured me that with the drugs administered before, I would be so out of it, I wouldn’t notice anything.

The worst part of the colonoscopy that I found was just drinking that disgusting, salty contrast prior to the procedure. Then the doctors gave me a drug that knocked me out. Afterward, I felt nothing and honestly asked, “Did you start yet?”

People are also scared of the possibilities. What if I do have cancer? Am I going to die? What about my family? Not knowing the unknown is pretty scary. But I think it would be scarier to never be sure and to wake up one day to find out you are dead.

For people who are about 70 years old, they may think that they have lived their life the best they can and what is the point of expanding pain for another five years hooked up to IV tubes.

But for younger people like me, who have their entire lives in front of them, it is almost a necessity to get tested. If detected early enough, most cancers and diseases can be beaten and the survivors can live a full, long life. As for me, if I was warned two years ago to get tested, I would have jumped at the chance.

So as my warning to you all in hopes for a good, long life of either no disease or a quick recovery, talk to your doctor and insist that you get tested if there is any question of family history of cancer or any disease.

Inspirational Pittsburgh-area teen dies of cancer

Inspirational Pittsburgh-area teen dies of cancer

Associated Press - August 19, 2008 11:53 PM ET

PITTSBURGH (AP) - John Challis, who inspired professional athletes with his battle against cancer, died Tuesday at his parents' home in suburban Pittsburgh.

Challis made national headlines when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirates game against the New York Yankees in June. He left the Pirates this motivational message on their message board:

"Have fun," he wrote to the Pirates. "It's the reason we play ball."

The 5-foot-5, 93-pound teenager was diagnosed with terminal cancer when he was 16.

He spoke candidly about his initial fear of death and then his determination to achieve his goals before succumbing to the cancer that had spread to his liver, lungs and other parts of his body.

Yankee All-Star Alex Rodriguez was 1 of the athletes touched by Challis. He called the young man: "very smart. He had a huge heart. I was just proud I got to spend a whole day with him."

John Challis was 18.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Personal update

Well, I got a call from Dr. Wang (my oncologist) this morning - he had the results of my CAT scan.
Basically, the cancer spots in my liver have not reacted to my current chemotherapy treatment. They have not shrunk, nor have they increased in size or number.
So I will continue to do chemo, but with different drugs. I will no longer have the nerve sensations (where my body and throat react to cold drinks and food), but I will have more stomach symptoms, such as nausea and diarrhea.
I will have another update next Tuesday.

You've got a friend in me

I have a large extended family, but none of these family members are genetically linked to me. Instead we are linked by our hearts.

When I attended Sacramento State in the fall of 2004 as a transferring junior, I had no idea that the people working at the State Hornet newspaper would become so close to me.

Over the years, relationships strengthened, some developed and some even re-emerged. We would have family dinners on Monday nights, help each other through impossible college essays and talk about topics that we could not discuss with our actual families.

Those days were the one of the best days of my life and I know the sentiment is mutual across the board.

But I never really knew how close we were until I first let my friend (and fellow Citizen writer) Linda know about my condition. Within hours, she sent a MySpace bulletin informing everyone on our friends list about the cancer.

That Sunday my hospital room was so full of supporting friends that people coming to see me would only have to follow the noise and laughter to find my room.

Ever since March, my friends have really been my crutch, particularly since there has been some family drama. When some family members either could not handle the emotional situation or simply gave up on my chances of survival, my friends have been there with a hug and a smile.

Every month since I was diagnosed, we have once again brought around the family dinners, only at restaurants instead at the press office. Those who can not make it either send me text messages or e-mails just to check up on me.

While they do not express vocally that they know I will survive this disease, they say it with their eyes and huge, long hugs.

Some friends and I have even resolved old issues. My friend Andrew came to my house after a trip to Argentina and we talked for more than four hours. This was the longest conversation we ever had since the fall of 2004. During our talk, we apologized for the way we acted when I was Photo Editor and he was Assistant Photo Editor. We blamed all the fights on bad medication and no experience in teamwork.

Some friends even take time away from work to help drive me to and from Kaiser South Sacramento on chemotherapy days. My friend Nika drove all the way from Manteca to help me out and to also tease me with promises of her mother’s Filipino cooking.

Another friend (and fellow Citizen writer), Gama, takes time from work and basketball practice to drive me. He also suffers through my Peter Brady voice every other Tuesday (a result of chemotherapy).

Some friends also feed me, like Holly, a teacher from Sac State. Only her food comes in the form of frozen, dead animals, like salmon, elk and deer. Full of protein and calories, this food (once I get a smoker) will definitely get my weight back up.

Some friends even make me cry, although they do not mean it. When I first went into the hospital, Josh, a friend since high school, sent me one of the sweetest notes I ever read. Essentially, he said I am like a sister to him and that he will always be my friend. He also gave me a rubber dart gun to use against any annoying nurse.

But I have to say my fiancé has been my best friend during these months. Besides the fact that he did not run when he heard the word “cancer,” he has been my rock to lean on. He has always been there with a hug, a kiss and a smile. He even proposed to me after I got out of the hospital and we bought a house together last month. I do not need any more evidence that we are serious and that he is truly my best friend.

I know that without any of my friends, I would not have made it this far in my treatment. But I do not have to worry about what might have been, because I have been blessed with the best friends anyone could ever have.

Olympian inspires cancer victims

Even though I can't stand the Olympics and would rather paint the rest of my house than to watch the Olympics, there is an Olympic athlete with testicular cancer who still competes. He's not doing this to raise money for cancer - he actually is putting off treatment to compete, despite the fatigue and pain from the growing cancer.
While I don't agree with Eric Shanteau's decision since he's 24 years old and the quicker he gets treatment, the better his chances of survival are, you have to admire what he's doing.
Check out the story at http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/swimming/news?slug=ap-swm-shanteausjourney&prov=ap&type=lgns.

The Truth about Rumors

Last week a friend sent me a forwarded e-mail telling about a connection between plastics and cancer. The e-mail sourced Dr. Edward Fujimoto, the Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, as saying by either freezing water in plastic bottles, microwaving fatty food in plastic containers or microwaving food covered by saran wrap, dioxins within the plastics are released. These dioxins would then increase the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer.

Now when I read this, I immediately became skeptical. I have been freezing water in plastic bottles and microwaving food in plastic containers ever since I have had a microwave, along with millions of Americans. If this story was true, then millions of Americans and people around the world would have cancer.

So I googled the good doctor – lo and behold, the story is a bust.

According to TruthorFiction.com, there is a Dr. Edward Fujimoto who is the manager of the Wellness and Lifestyle Medicine Department at Castle Medical Center in Hawaii. However, when I look on the hospital's web site, there is no Dr. Edward Fujimoto there.

He claimed he has researched and observed that dioxins are released when fatty foods are heated in a microwave in plastic containers. However, his research has never been published, according to the web site.

Fujimoto also said Japanese residents are aware of the dioxin danger and mostly cook with glass cookware.

Now Fujimoto never addressed the issue of frozen water bottles. This eRumor has been linked to singer Sheryl Crow (who had been diagnosed with breast cancer) talking with either Ellen DeGeneres or Oprah Winfrey. Again no truth can be found.

While dioxins are real and natural (practically everyone is exposed to a small amount of dioxins every day), the effect can be disastrous.

While most tech-savvy people usually discard these new-age chain letters as just trash, some people may actually take these rumors seriously.

If everyone believed these rumors, people would be afraid to breathe because the ozone layer could cause lung cancer or the dust from Fido or Fluffy could cause prostate cancer.

The oncology nurses at Kaiser South Sacramento have told me one in three people will contract cancer by age 70. There may be environmental factors that cause cancer, such as cigarettes or local factories.

But there are other factors to consider: genetics by heritage, freak genetic mutations (in my case) or what I like to call the luck of the draw. Some people are dealt good cards and others are dealt garbage. It just happens to be chance.

So should we avoid cooking food in microwaves? If that is all that you have available, then go ahead and cook with plastic.

Should we avoid tobacco products? This is a personal choice. Check your family background to see if lung cancer is a family factor. Then decide on your own if you wish to smoke or chew. My grandmother smoked for 40 years until the California public school system brainwashed me into believing that by smoking one cigarette, she was going to die.

However, the cancer only attacked her colon. Despite having asthma, living through the Mount St. Helens disaster and living in Sacramento pollution, she really did miss smoking. But by quitting, she probably lived an additional five years.

Am I regretful of living in a small town with a paper mill that may (not proven) have released dioxins into the ground and ground water?

No way. I love Fort Bragg and always will. Many happy memories were created there and that small town will always hold a special place in my heart.

What is my point? Do not be afraid of living the good life. Go travel, eat your favorite foods in either plastic or glass cookware and breathe the good air. Do not let the media scare you into living in a plastic bubble. We only have one life each and we should make the most of it.

• The American Plastics Society's take on the plastics rumors
• The U.S. FDA's take on plastics and microwaves
• The U.S. FDA's research on dioxins
  

Stand Up To Cancer

I found this out on Yahoo! Stand Up To Cancer is having a benefit show to raise money for cancer research. Set your TiVos and DVRs for 8 p.m. EDT/PDT on Sept. 5 on NBC, ABC and CBS. The shows will also be simulcast in HD. To view the entire story, visit http://www.standup2cancer.org.

Stars from film, television, sports, journalism and music
come together for September 5th prime time television event
to raise funds for cancer research

May 28, 2008 – NEW YORK, NY/LOS ANGELES, CA: Stand Up To Cancer www.standup2cancer.org), a new initiative to raise philanthropic dollars for accelerating ground-breaking research, launches today through an unprecedented collaboration uniting the major television networks, entertainment industry executives, celebrities and prominent leaders in cancer research and patient advocacy. ABC, CBS and NBC will donate one hour of simultaneous commercial-free primetime for a nationally televised fundraising event to air on September 5, 2008 (8 pm EDT and PDT), aimed at rallying the public around the goal of ending cancer's reign as a leading cause of death.

Network evening news anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams will announce the initiative together during live appearances today on ABC's "Good Morning America," CBS's "The Early Show," and NBC's "TODAY show."

"For people struggling with this disease, or those who will be diagnosed, scientific breakthroughs can be a matter of life or death -- literally. We want everyone to know that they can make a difference in this fight," said Couric. "Television is a notoriously competitive business. For the three major broadcast networks to join forces is a wonderful example of the power of working together, and we're very grateful to have the opportunity to reach people all over the country through this show."

"As a motion picture and television producer, I've learned how incredibly powerful these mediums can be in generating public discourse, sometimes almost overnight. Our goal with this initiative and TV show is to ‘tip' the conversation in this country about cancer – to get people riled up, so they want to do something about the fact that it still takes so many lives," said Laura Ziskin, who will produce the September 5th broadcast. Ziskin is a cancer survivor. Her film credits include the Spider-Man trilogy, As Good As It Gets, and Pretty Woman, and she also produced the 74th and 79th Annual Academy Awards.

The Stand Up To Cancer special will feature live performances by legendary recording artists and stars from film and television who will perform as well as present filmed content giving viewers insight into cancer. Various screening tests will be demonstrated in novel and entertaining ways. "Katie, Charlie and Brian will report on potentially life-saving research, speaking with both patients and scientists. We hope to entertain you, educate you, move and inspire you," Ziskin said.