Supported by Charitable Donation from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Campaign Reinforces Need for Patient Empowerment and Raises Awareness That Options Are Available
(LOS ANGELES / NEW YORK) – April 16, 2015 – Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), is increasing national awareness about one of the deadliest cancers, lung cancer, in a new public service announcement (PSA), which is supported by a charitable donation from Bristol-Myers Squibb. The campaign features actor, director and SU2C ambassador Tony Goldwyn, who lost his mother, Jennifer Coleman to lung cancer. The PSA will begin airing April 2015.
The PSA, entitled “Photograph,” promotes the importance of empowering lung cancer patients and their loved ones with information about the therapies, specialists, and clinical trials available to them and the latest breakthroughs in lung cancer research so they can make the most informed choices. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. In 2015, more than 221,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, and it will take the lives of approximately 158,000 — the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women.
The PSA encourages lung cancer patients to visit SU2C.org/LungCancer to learn about questions to ask your health care professional, and for information about options that may be right for each individual.
“In 1993, I lost my mother to lung cancer. When she was diagnosed, she didn’t have many options. I was passionate about getting involved with Stand Up To Cancer because I want people to know that strides are being made in lung cancer research,” said Goldwyn. “Through this PSA, we hope to motivate people diagnosed with this insidious disease to ask about all the options available to them.”
In the PSA, Goldwyn shares his mother’s story, saying: “Twenty years ago, Jennifer Coleman was diagnosed with lung cancer. She had very few places to turn, and lost a difficult struggle. Today, there are significantly improved options. My mom didn’t have many choices, but you do.”
“On an equally personal level,” Goldwyn added, “my grandfather, Samuel Goldwyn, was a founder back in the 1940s of the organization that became the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Stand Up To Cancer is a program of EIF, so I am proud to carry out my grandfather’s legacy.”
“When cancer strikes someone dear to you, it can propel you to use all your energy to help fight this disease, and hopefully help prevent other families from enduring the heartache yours has. We are honored to have Tony help us spread the hopeful word that there are new options for those diagnosed with lung cancer,” said SU2C co-founder Katie Couric.
“Many of us at the Entertainment Industry Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer have lost loved ones to lung cancer. We are excited to help inform the public that this is an era of new options for patients with this difficult disease. We are grateful to Bristol-Myers Squibb for the company’s continued commitment to Stand Up To Cancer’s research and awareness work,” added EIF President and CEO Lisa Paulsen, who is also a Stand Up To Cancer co-founder.
“Bristol-Myers Squibb is honored to support Stand Up To Cancer, an organization that shares our commitment to accelerating research and uncovering new, innovative ways to advance cancer care,” said Chris Boerner, US President at Bristol-Myers Squibb. “Through our charitable donation, we are proud to support Stand Up To Cancer’s work creating greater awareness about lung cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, and providing support for those patients and families who need it.”
To learn more or to view the broadcast PSA, visit www.standup2cancer.org/lungcancer or www.bms.com
To join the conversation, like us on Facebook at @StandUpToCancer or follow us on Twitter at @SU2C.
