Bid, List, or Donate to Stand Up To Cancer

Earlier this year, my father died of complications from prostate cancer. He was diagnosed in 2005 and for three long years he fought the good fight, along with my mother who was by his side all the time. Except in his last few days, by which time the cancer had spread to other parts of his body and he was fading in and out of consciousness, he remained the man he had always been -- tough, articulate, loving, and with an indomitable sense of humor that moved even his case-hardened doctors.

But it got him in the end.

It seems very unfair to me that some tiny, insidious cells cut short the life of a man who overcame many challenges to provide for his family, who was a great father and husband, and a good human being. But there it is. One in three women, and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. Almost as sobering is this information from the Stand Up To Cancer website:

"Since 2003, the government's cancer research budget has been cut every single year. This lack of funds pits scientists against one another and stifles new treatments from getting to patients quickly."

Rather than wait around for the system to change, Stand Up To Cancer looks to take matters into our own hands. Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) is a groundbreaking movement in the fight against cancer (read their mission statement). Its innovative approach is designed to bring the best and brightest investigators and scientists from leading institutions around the world to form "Dream Teams." This collaborative effort will accelerate cancer research and bring new therapies to patients more quickly. The hope is to make great big strides in prevention, detection, treatment, and even reversal of one of the leading causes of suffering and death. The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focusing on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research, will conduct expert scientific review of the research projects and administer funds raised through the Stand Up To Cancer initiative under the direction of a Scientific Advisory Committee.

The entertainment industry is heavily involved in Stand Up To Cancer, and so is eBay. In a coordinated effort, Stand Up To Cancer is auctioning a number of celebrity items and experiences through eBay Giving Works, with 100% of the proceeds going to Stand Up To Cancer and the fight against the disease. These charity auctions are aimed to build awareness for a historic September 5th televised event to be simultaneously broadcast on ABC, NBC and CBS at 8pm EST and PST featuring an extraordinary line-up of actors, musicians, athletes and journalists.

Besides celebrity items and experiences like a round of golf with Sugar Ray Leonard or two tickets to watch a taping of Dancing With The Stars, you can also bid on a lot of items listed by eBay sellers in support of Stand Up To Cancer. Of course, you can also donate directly through PayPal.

I'm standing up for my father, the best human being I ever knew. Who are you standing up for?