A couple of weeks ago, just before heading out to the Cape, I posted a video of some of the top names in the music industry performing the song “Just Stand Up!” at the 2008 “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon. It’s a bit cheesy, admittedly, like “Do they know it’s Christmas?”, the flagship song of 1984’s BandAid initiative—but both of them brought tears to my eyes. With the 2010 Stand Up to Cancer telethon right around the corner—Friday, September 10, from 8pm to 9pm EDT—I’m getting prepared, with my fuzzy blanket, a big, poofy pillow, and two boxes of tissues. And not only because some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry will be there, but also because Stand Up to Cancer has actually done some amazing stuff with the $100 million they raised in 2008, I’ll have my checkbook next to me as well.

On this year’s list are top named celebrities like George Clooney, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Kathy Bates, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Renee Zellweger. The show will be co-hosted by Katie Couric, Brian Williams, and Diane Sawyer. The list of performers includes Stevie Wonder, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, The Edge, Leona Lewis, Neil Diamond, Queen Latifah, Martina McBride, and Billie Joe Armstrong (all of whom are coming to my Brooklyn apartment for the telethon after-party). It promises to be an exciting night.

All public donations go to cancer research through grants administered by Stand Up to Cancer’s technical partner, the American Association for Cancer Research, an organization founded by 11 physicians and scientists in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1907, which now has more than 27,000 members in 80 countries.

Note that while I was not invited to sing at this year’s telethon, I still strongly encourage you to generously support the initiative—and spread the word about the show.

You can read more about Stand Up to Cancer on their website or go here to make a donation directly.