Stand Up To Cancer Alabama

By Jeremy Gordinier

Published: August 13, 2008

In an unprecedented collaboration, three network affiliated television stations in Birmingham have agreed to co-produce and simulcast a live, local special titled:  “Stand Up To Cancer Alabama”.  The 30-minute program is a joint venture of WBMA, ABC 33/40; WIAT, CBS 42 and WVTM, NBC 13 HD.


“Stand Up To Cancer Alabama” will air at 6:30pm CST on September 5, 2008 as the local lead-in to the “Stand Up To Cancer” primetime television special.



The local special is hosted by local news anchors Brenda Ladun; Sherri Jackson and Mike Royer. The Birmingham stations are working with the local chapter of the American Cancer Society to showcase local cancer research being done at University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Center along with information about efforts to support and assist cancer patients and their families.


The primetime network special will air on September 5, 2008 (7pm CDT), and is aimed at rallying the public around the goal of ending cancer’s reign as a leading cause of death by supporting research.


ABC, CBS and NBC will donate one hour of simultaneous commercial-free primetime for this nationally televised fundraising event.


In a joint statement the managers of the participating Birmingham stations stated their reason for this unparalleled cooperation is simple, “What could be more important than serving our community in the “beginning of the end of cancer.”


The “Stand Up To Cancer Alabama” simulcast program was suggested by Gene Kirkconnell, Vice President and General Manager of WVTM, NBC 13 HD.  “More than a million people in the will be diagnosed with cancer in this country this year.  When the networks announced they work working together to raise money for cancer research, it made sense to do the same on a local level.“


The program will be produced at the NBC 13 HD studios in High Definition and will be telecast commercial-free on all three stations.