Some of Britain's biggest stars from TV and film have joined forces with cancer patients and survivors to feature in this powerful film by Ridley Scott Associates. Liam Neeson, Michelle Dockery, Jodie Comer, Lesley Manville, and O-T Fagbenle are ready to show cancer it’s payback time.
Several of the stars have been personally affected by cancer. Liam Neeson said: “Everyone knows someone who’s experienced cancer - either a friend or a family member. I myself have had four relatives die from this horrible disease. You never want to see anyone go through it, but the reality is that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime. By acting now, we’ve got a far better chance of beating this disease in the future. That’s why we’ve got to keep raising money to support the research that will save lives.”
Deborah James, who has stage 4 bowel cancer, is a BBC presenter of the podcast You, Me and the Big C and is known on social media as ‘Bowel Babe’, said: “Cancer turned my world upside down. As an outgoing mum with two young kids, cancer was the last thing I expected, but cancer doesn’t discriminate. We can help progress in research and beat this debilitating disease, but we must act now. The research Stand Up To Cancer funds saves lives. So stand up for your family, your friends and even for yourself. There’s no time to waste.”
The film’s creator and director, Melissa Bolton-Klinger, who survived Stage 3 head and neck cancer, said: “Cancer has taken our sisters, brothers, fathers and mothers. It tried to take me. Because of cancer, I can’t smell or taste. But it never took my spirit. That’s why I wanted to create this film in support of Stand Up To Cancer, to show this disease we’re coming for it and we will not back down. And what a pleasure it was to join together against cancer with such an inspiring group of people. Through research we will beat cancer, but we need to act now. Stand up with me and help make a real difference in saving lives.”
