Stars Join Cancer Fight

• Sep 5, 2008 06:24 PM ET
• by TV Guide News

More than 60 celebrities headlined Friday night's Stand Up to Cancer TV special, a multi-network fundraiser benefiting cancer research.

Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Jack Black, Sheryl Crow, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Garner, Salma Hayek, Meryl Streep, Charlize Theron, Sharon Osbourne, Scarlett Johansson and Lance Armstrong are just some of the names who were to be present for the evening of "edutainment," Laura Ziskin, executive producer and cancer survivor, told The Associated Press.

"There will be laughter. There will be tears," Ziskin, who created the nonprofit group behind the special, said. "And you'll learn something about how we can turn the outcome of this disease if we just set our minds to it."

A slew of musicians, including Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna, were also scheduled to debut their charity single, "Just Stand Up," during the event.

Stand Up to Cancer, hosted by Katie Couric, Charles Gibson and Brian Williams, aired simultaneously on ABC, NBC and CBS at 8 pm/ET. - Joyce Eng