Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) launched their latest public service announcement Saturday night during Game 4 of the World Series, which included a “SU2C Placard Moment” at the end of the fifth inning, and a broadcast PSA.
Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers uniformed personnel, umpires, and fans in attendance took a moment to honor those who have been impacted by the disease in a tradition that was established in 2011.
“I’m appreciative of everything MLB is doing in the fight against cancer, and I’m honored to be included in Stand Up To Cancer’s campaign,” Yasmani Grandal said. “My wife and I had a dear friend recently diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and we’re proud to stand with her and do what we can to support others in their battle against this horrible disease.”
The PSA, titled “Whatever It Takes,” features MLB players and moments from the season that underscore the message that the end of the fight against cancer is unlikely to come from a single home run, but rather the result of numerous and smaller, yet meaningful, scientific advancements that keep the fight moving forward.
“As we continue to swing for the fences, at Stand Up To Cancer we know that any advancement can bring someone home,” the PSA message reads, “Stand up for the 16 million people living with cancer in the U.S. and Canada. Visit StandUpToCancer.org.”
Grandal, Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason and Washington Nationals center fielder Michael A. Taylor appear in a print PSA that was launched alongside the broadcast version. Images depict the three players preparing to drop down bunts alongside photos of 10-year-old cancer survivor Jacob Teel, and 33-year-old cancer survivor Dalia Margolis.
Teel, who has battled cancer three times and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of three, became a media sensation after appearing in the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game this past July during MLB All-Star Week in Miami.
Teel hit a single and scored the first run for his team after MLB Network Analyst and former MLB All-Star Pitcher Al Leiter asked Teel to pinch-hit for him.
Margolis was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2005 when she was 22. She underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free in 2006.
MLB and the 30 teams are the founding donors of SU2C, and have committed $43 million to date to SU2C’s innovative cancer research.
Since SU2C’s launch in 2008, MLB has provided year-round promotional support, including featured spotlights during the All-Star Game and World Series, among other individual games and activities throughout the year.
