LANSING - On Sept. 5, 2008 (8 P.M. EDT), the three major television networks, CBS, ABC, and NBC, will collaborate to air a commercial-free, primetime hour dedicated to an interactive, national telethon aimed at increasing cancer awareness and raising funds to support life-saving research. This unprecedented volunteer collaboration among all three networks aims to unite the nation to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and is supported by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH).

This interactive television special will include:

- Performances by legendary recording artists, such as Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Ethridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis, Leann Rimes, and Carrie Underwood.

- More than 50 of the biggest names in TV, film, sports, and music will participate in the live phone bank, answering calls from viewers who want to donate. SU2C plans to auction celebrity video chats where viewers will have the opportunity to chat in real time with film and television stars.

- Segments on cutting-edge research - reported by network news anchors Katie Couric, Charles Gibson, and Brian Williams - that will include intimate dialogue with the renowned scientists who are making the potentially life-saving discoveries.

- Celebrity performances and participation in special live and filmed pieces designed to educate, inspire and entertain.

"Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease," said MDCH Director Janet Olszewski. "Stand Up To Cancer is a historical event that not only heightens awareness about this devastating disease, but it will enable cutting-edge research aimed at finding a cure to all types of cancer."

The American Cancer Society estimates that 51,150 Michiganders will be diagnosed with cancer in 2008 with 21,210 cancer deaths occurring in our state. MDCH is committed to the fight against cancer and is working to reduce the human and economic burden of this disease with state programs including Michigan's Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP), the Michigan Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, and the Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program implemented in partnership with the Michigan Cancer Consortium (MCC). Experts are available upon request to speak about these programs. For more information about the BCCCP, please visit: www.michigancancer.org/bcccp. Please visit www.michigancancer.org to learn more about the MCC, its priorities, and membership information. For more information about SU2C, please visit: http://www.standup2cancer.org/.