Comcast Corporation and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) have joined together to create the first-ever video-on-demand (VOD) initiative Stand Up 2 Cancer On Demand to broaden awareness and raise critical funds for innovative cancer research.
Debuting exclusively on Comcast beginning December 15th, Stand Up 2 Cancer On Demand will feature an extraordinary library of musical entertainment including hundreds of music videos from many of the world’s biggest stars and groups.
Available for no additional cost to viewers in more than 18 million Comcast homes through March 14th, Stand Up 2 Cancer On Demand will feature more than 60 of the viewers’ favorite artists including Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews Band, Norah Jones, Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Idina Menzel, Jack Johnson, Sting, Renée Fleming, Placido Domingo and other stars of the Metropolitan Opera.
In addition, viewers will be encouraged by numerous celebrity and notable participants to “stand up” to cancer and make a donation by clicking here or call a dedicated 24/7 phone line that will appear during the On Demand music videos. Viewers will also be able to select content from the “A Reason 2 Give” folder and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Stand Up To Cancer’s collaborative scientific “Dream Teams” or innovative projects aimed at bringing better treatments to patients faster.
“We are proud to come together with Stand Up To Cancer to harness the power and popularity of our On Demand service to drive awareness and provide people with this outlet to give,” said Diana Kerekes, Vice President, Video Content for Comcast."
“Whether it’s how the research we fund is conducted, or how we engage the entertainment community, collaboration and innovation are Stand Up To Cancer’s twin mantras,” said Laura Ziskin, the highly-acclaimed film producer and a SU2C Founding Member. “Comcast partnered with us on something that has never been done before, and it involves actors, musicians and music labels who often compete with one another and are standing together in an effort to end this disease. We are deeply grateful not only to Comcast, but also to EMI Music, SONY Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and the Metropolitan Opera for making their incredible content available.”
The On Demand destination will also exclusively debut Stand Up To Cancer’s new public service announcement, entitled “Up2.” Directed by filmmaker Jesse Dylan (Will.i.am’s iconic “Yes, We Can” video), the spot stars Renee Zellweger, Rob Lowe, Josh Groban, Derek Fisher, Michael Strahan, Minka Kelly and Mandy Moore among many others, conveying the core message: it’s up to each of us to play a role in ending cancer. Legendary songwriter and musician Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) composed a powerful anthem entitled “Stand Up To Cancer” which he recorded multiple versions of for Stand Up 2 Cancer On Demand and SU2C’s “Up 2” campaign. One version includes a collaboration with Joss Stone and a separate instrumental version recorded by an orchestra led by Hans Zimmer and featuring violin virtuoso Anne Marie Calhoun, who co-wrote the track with Stewart.
“Cancer takes 1,500 lives every single day, that’s more than half a million Americans each year,” said Lisa Paulsen, President & CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, the 501©(3) charitable organization for the television and film business that serves as the fiduciary behind SU2C, who is also a Founding Member. “Stand Up To Cancer is building a grassroots movement of people who are saying, ‘enough is enough; I want to help the scientists working to end this disease.’ Through Comcast and the treasure trove of content that’s been assembled, we can organically reach people in more than 18 million homes to encourage them to join our movement.”
For a limited time, Stand Up 2 Cancer On Demand will feature holiday music selections including Bob Dylan's comical new “Must Be Santa” video. Stand Up 2 Cancer On Demand will also feature compelling entertainment clips and informative messages from scientists, as well as numerous celebrity and notable participants including Meryl Streep, Katie Couric, Brian Williams, Jon Stewart, Salma Hayek and the late Patrick Swayze. Celebrities ranging from the casts of TV shows shows like LOST and Brothers & Sisters, to an array of personalities including Dr. Oz, the E! News anchors and others are featured in special, tailored messages “wrapped around” the video content, each conveying why it is so important to support SU2C’s distinctive cancer research.
To watch the PSA and find out more, click here.
