The All-Star Game broadcasts "Stand up to Cancer PSA"

LOS ANGELES – It all started with what they call "the boost heard around the world".
In January 2008, the nine founding women of Stand Up To Cancer – Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Laura Ziskin, Rusty Robertson, Lisa Paulsen, Ellen Ziffren, Sue Schwartz, Kathleen Lobb and Noreen Fraser –

LOS ANGELES – It all started with what they call "the boost heard around the world".

In January 2008, the nine founding women of Stand Up To Cancer – Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Laura Ziskin, Rusty Robertson, Lisa Paulsen, Ellen Ziffren, Sue Schwartz, Kathleen Lobb, and Noreen Fraser – launched White Sox and the owner of the Bulls from Chicago Jerry Reinsdorf their plan in Ziskin's office at Sony Pictures. They would use their experience and resources as entertainment and media personalities to bring together and fund teams of scientists to unify and accelerate cancer research.

"He sat down and said," You know, I think it looks fantastic, but I'm not the right guy, "Robertson said.

But Reinsdorf knew the good guy. He invited the women to the annual foundation of professional baseball founders later in the week, where he would hold a presentation of Curator Bud Selig.

In all their professional achievements, none of the women had ever asked as much as the $ 10 million that they hoped to get from Major League Baseball that night. But they did it and Selig was interested. He had planned to think about it before making a decision, Robertson said. Until his wife intervenes.

"Sue Selig hit it on the side," Robertson said. "My friend, what are you waiting for ?!"

The boost heard around the world.

And he says: "I'm leaving".

It started a relationship between MLB and Stand Up To Cancer that now covers more than ten years; Founding donor, MLB and its clubs have paid more than 50 million dollars. These funds supported the unique Stand Up To Cancer model, which focuses on scientific collaboration to accelerate the discovery of new cancer treatments. To date, this initiative has resulted in six FDA-approved treatments, more than 180 clinical trials and more than $ 603 million pledged to the work of more than 1,600 scientists.

"I am so grateful to Major League Baseball for the lives they have saved," Robertson said.

The relationship continues at this year's All-Star Game in Cleveland, where Stand Up To Cancer will unveil its latest public service announcement campaign.

The PSA was shot in May at the Dodger stadium with actors Uzo Aduba, Jordana Brewster, Matt Damon, Zachary Levi, Joe Manganiello and Candice Patton. The Los Angeles baseball stadium was used in various scenes in which people "got up" during a baseball game, for example by hanging on to a foul ball or cheering a winning shot . This is the sixth public interest message from Stand up to Cancer and the campaign will be spread over the next two years with print, digital, radio and out-of-home advertising. The film was produced by Shark Pig, a Los Angeles-based production company, directed by Jesse Fleece.

What @ CandicePatton I said! Are you AL team or NL team? In the honor of tomorrow @MLB Star game presented by @MasterCard, choose a team and make a donation to support #StandUpToCancer.

AL fans, donate here: https://t.co/QkYNuMrTwJ

Fans of NL, donate here: https://t.co/HaBPnkdjWA pic.twitter.com/HhO5Mv9RP7

– Standing against cancer (@ SU2C) July 9, 2019

"It's really about finding a cure for the most deadly disease that has ever affected humanity in the modern era," Manganiello said.

"It will take us all, we will really go ahead and become strong," Aduba said. "Use your voice, use your dollars, use your friends and family to talk about it so that we can all become serious about this issue now, not just when something is finally coming to us."

The message of public interest is based on the special moment of the game that is presented every year at the All-Star Game and at the World Series since 2011, where action on the ground is suspended and where everyone in the stadium – including coaches, players and referees – stands up and holds a sign indicating the names or names of those affected by the illness. It was an idea conceived by Ziskin and when she pbaded away in June 2011, her surviving co-founders concretized it. Fraser is also dead after her fight against cancer.

"We said:" We have to do it. We must actually do it now, "said Robertson.

A month later, the women traveled to Phoenix for the all-star game and were among those who had distributed the placards on the 48,633-seat Chase Field.

"We all came out at about 112 degrees and put them on the seats," Robertson said. "We did not know it would be a moment of union. But it's getting better and better

The tradition has become an iconic moment and, again, tens of thousands of people will rise for a moment of silence on Tuesday at Progressive Field.

"I defend the survivors," Manganiello said. "These are people who have to live with that or who have to look over their shoulder hoping to stay in remission. … It would be great if we could find a cure and help these people live the rest of their lives in peace and comfort. "

For actors participating in the PSA, which will be broadcast during the match, it is an opportunity to direct their audience to a cause that is close to their hearts.

"If you have the ability to reach so many people, I feel it's your job to do something with this platform," said Patton, star of the CW series "The Flash." "If not, what a waste of opportunity you've been given. I think everyone has something that interests them and who they would fight for. … I have the time and the resources to do it, so it's obvious to me. "

"Hopefully we will raise money to see progress and, God willing, heal this incredible disease," Aduba said. "Unfortunately, I am on the side of lost people, and I do not want to lose anyone else."