The End Of Cancer

Stand Up To Cancer is a groundbreaking movement backed by an innovative approach to cancer research aimed at ending cancer's reign as a leading cause of death.


Tonight, at 8pm ET/PT, over 50 of the most renowned personalities in TV, film, sports and music will come together to make history. In an unprecedented television event, NBC, ABC, and CBS will simultaneously devote 1 hour of commercial-free prime time to raise funds for the fight against cancer.

Be sure to watch or TiVo or DVR it!


Update: Patrick Swazye's surprise appearance at the EIF "Stand Up To Cancer" fund-raising special impressed a nation of television viewers and a stage full of fellow celebrities.


The actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, was brought out on a darkened stage during the opening segment. When the lights came up, he received a standing ovation. Even Jennifer Aniston, who was in the middle of a phone call, stood up to pay tribute to Swayze.

"He looks amazing," former basketball player Charles Barkley told PEOPLE. "For me, seeing Patrick Swayze, someone who is actually fighting this disease, was the best part of the show. Seeing him in person was amazing."

Swayze smiled and danced in the wings through the show, holding his wife, Lisa Niemi. He even managed a moment of solo air guitar. As Melissa Etheridge and Sugarland crooned the closing song, he approached Barkley and the two had an animated conversation.

"He just came up to me and said, 'hi,' " said Barkley. "We talked about how he was doing. He said he's doing well. He said that he's even gone back to work."

Meanwhile, Aniston, who was wearing a red Stand Up to Cancer tank and jeans and presented the closing segment was joined onstage by all the participating celebrities.

Swayze stayed on stage long after most of the crowd had thinned out – chatting with Fran Drescher and other cancer survivors. But no one was more impressed than Noreen Fraser, one of the show's producers and a stage-four breast cancer survivor.

"I just had to thank him for his appearance. His appearance put this event over the top," an emotional Fraser told PEOPLE. "He told me, 'There was no way I was going to say no to this.'"

Source: PEOPLE