Actor Chadwick Boseman’s legacy will be honored at this year’s Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) event by his wife Simone and comedian Anthony Anderson, according to a statement released by the organization on Friday.
“Chadwick Boseman was fueled by purpose and sought to fulfill that through writing, directing, acting and activism,” a statement from Stand Up Cancer said. “Stand Up To Cancer continues to fund colorectal cancer research and efforts to raise awareness about colorectal cancer screenings, early detection and prevention. During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, SU2C launched a new public awareness campaign to increase awareness and screenings in medically underserved communities.”
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the United States. Black people in the U.S. are 20 percent more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 40 percent more likely to die from it. With a routine screening, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and is beatable in 90% of cases when detected early.
Boseman died from colon cancer at the age of 43 in 2020. His death came as a shock to many of his fans that viewed him in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ where he played the lead role. Before that iconic role, he was known for acting in biopics about prominent figures in the world of entertainment. He played Jackie Robinson in ‘42,’ Thurgood Marshall in ‘Marshall,’ and James Brown in ‘Get On Up.’ Prior to his passing, he played the role of Levee in the stage play turned film, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ earning him a Academy Award nomination and several other accolades.
Stand Up To Cancer airs simultaneously on more than 60 participating media platforms across the United States and Canada, on Saturday, August 21 at 8PM ET & PT / 7PM C. The telecast will also be available to stream live and on several streaming platforms.
