A stellar line-up, including David Oyelowo (Selma, 2014), Paralympian Amy Conroy and actors Dame Harriet Walter, Jason Watkins, Daniel Mays and Kadiff Kirwan have joined forces in a thought-provoking short film for Stand Up To Cancer.
Marking the return of the joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, the film highlights the positive change which can be achieved when humanity stands up for what it believes in. The famous faces appear alongside cancer patients, their loved ones, and medical staff as they call upon the nation to Stand Up To Cancer.
The film, produced by Nonsense London, opens with Kadiff Kirwan watching footage of Black Lives Matter protests and a woman following the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. It then cuts to David Oyelowo reflecting on how standing up “builds community, changes history and shapes the future.”
Oyelowo goes on to explain that now is the time to Stand Up To Cancer. The film then powerfully depicts those affected by cancer taking to their feet – to signify that when one stands, we all stand – and become the people to stop cancer.
Joining together to raise awareness of our life-saving work, several of the stars of the film have personal experiences of cancer.
David Oyelowo said “I'm Standing Up To Cancer in memory of my beloved father who sadly lost his life to colon cancer a year ago. I'm proud to be supporting the Stand Up To Cancer campaign which funds vital research that will save lives. 1 in 2 of us in the UK will get cancer in our lifetime - let's Stand Up together to ensure that in the future more people get to spend more time with their family and friends.”
Dame Harriet Walter said “Cancer has been an unwanted presence throughout my life; I've lost loved-ones in the past and have loved-ones currently going through treatment. I Stand Up To Cancer for everyone affected by this awful disease and urge you all to join me in supporting this incredibly important campaign.”
Jason Watkins said “Cancer is a disease that takes the lives of the friends and family we love. The night before filming this, the stark reality of why I am supporting this campaign hit as I lost a dear friend suddenly, not long after their diagnosis. Stand Up To Cancer funds vital research, taking breakthroughs in the lab and translating them into tests and treatments that will benefit patients. They need our support now more than ever.”
Daniel Mays said “Stand Up To Cancer is an incredible campaign that I am proud to be part of this year. This film shows the difference we all can make when we take a stand - now is the time to Stand Up together to tackle this relentless disease. Researchers and scientists are making progress in the labs every day – let’s keep standing with them until we can banish cancer to the history books.”
Kadiff Kirwan said “Cancer doesn't care about your race, your age, your height… it doesn’t discriminate - you name it, cancer does not care. 1 in 2 of us in the UK will get cancer in our lifetime. My family has been affected along with most families across the UK. Now is the time to come together join the fight and Stand Up To Cancer.”
Amy Conroy said “Before I was a teenager, cancer had taken my mother and turned my world upside down. At 12 I spent a year in hospital after being diagnosed with bone cancer and lost my leg as a result. I Stand Up To Cancer for everyone who has been diagnosed, lost someone, and been affected by the disease - I fully champion the incredible advances in science and treatments that this campaign funds.”
The Stand Up To Cancer campaign runs throughout October and will culminate in an awe-inspiring night of TV on Channel 4 on Friday 15 October.
