When Chadwick Boseman passed away last year at the age of 43 after a private battle with colon cancer, communities across the globe were stunned. His ability to battle the debilitating disease all while filming physically demanding roles spoke to his drive and commitment as a creator. Because of this, and his tireless efforts off screen, Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C) will honor the beloved activist and creator with a special tribute by his wife Simone and host Anthony Anderson at this year’s fundraising special.
Writing and directing weren’t Boseman’s only pursuits; activism was at the heart of much of his work on and off camera, as a known activist and promoter of the Black Lives Matter movement. Though many consider his role as Jackie Robinson in the critically received biopic 42 as the breakout performance of his career, it’s impossible to deny that his work as James Brown in Get On Up clearly distinguished Boseman as one of the industry’s best leading men. From his incredible portrayal of young Thurgood Marshall, to his immortalization as king of Wakanda, Boseman’s acting resume highlights his pursuit of purpose and fulfillment as a creator.
Boseman won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture alongside Black Panther‘s ensemble.
After Boseman’s passing, considerable conversation was had about the many battles brought on by colon cancer.
Per Stand Up To Cancer’s official press release about the fundraiser:
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the United States. Black people in the U.S. are 20 percent more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 40 percent more likely to die from it. With routine screening, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and is beatable in 90% of cases when detected early. Stand Up To Cancer continues to fund colorectal cancer research and efforts to raise awareness about colorectal cancer screenings, early detection and prevention. During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, SU2C launched a new public awareness campaign to increase awareness and screenings in medically underserved communities.
Stand Up To Cancer’s biennial telecast and streaming event will air simultaneously on more than 60 participating media platforms across the United States and Canada, including all four major broadcast networks in the U.S. on Saturday, August 21 at 8PM ET & PT / 7PM CT from Los Angeles. Broadcasters carrying the show are donating one hour of simultaneous commercial-free prime time. The telecast will also be available to stream live and on-demand on several streaming platforms.
