CGG and stars come out to squash cancer

via zimbio

It was a night of exactly 100 stars at L.A.’s Kodak Theater, the glitzy Hollywood locale also known as the home of the Academy Awards. But the A-listers in attendance – Jack Black, Scarlett Johansson, Salma Hayek, Keanu Reeves, Jessica Alba, Casey Affleck, Halle Berry, America Ferrera, to name just a few -- weren’t there hoping to take home an Oscar. They were there to give back.

On the same night that still more celebrities performed at Fashion Rocks to benefit Stand Up to Cancer on the east coast, the Hollywood hundred came together to raise money and awareness for SU2C on the west. On September 5, more than 170 countries were able to watch the televised broadcast, and more than $100 million was raised, enabling the org to get closer to their ultimate goal of ending cancer’s reign as the leading cause of death. In fact, cancer kills 1,500 Americans every day – or one person every minute.

Tony award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur could have been one of them. Upon being diagnosed with cervical cancer, the Dancing with the Stars finalist and Hairspray actress thought the worst. “Once you find out you have cancer, you kind of think everything is over and everything is done,” Winokur told Celebs Gone Good at a SU2C press conference, which was also attended by cancer survivor Sheryl Crow. But “about three days later, I woke up and realized that I’m a fighter and I can do anything. I think having cancer changed my perspective on life. My family came first; my friends came first. My career came second.”

Christina Applegate also found herself in full-on survivor mode when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and recently received treatment in the form of a double masectomy. DOUBLE CHECK: As of now, her doctors say she is cancer-free.

CSI:NY star and spokesperson for the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Melina Kanakaredes hopes that the event will inspire others to stand up to cancer too. “Anyone who wants to get involved…it’s so easy,” she told CGG. “There are so many organizations.

“Cancer affects all of us,” Melina continued. “There are things you can do everyday. Also, it starts at home. Making sure your mom goes and gets checked up and you go. Be responsible.”

Contributed by CGG Youth Reporter Fred Scarf