Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing travel, today announce a unique partnership to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. As SU2C's Official Domestic Airline partner, Virgin America (with Virgin Unite) has pledged to support SU2C's mission through a multi-year in-kind travel partnership, Company fundraising and other joint efforts to drive awareness and funding for lifesaving cancer research. As of September 3, 2010, guests on Virgin America will be able to join the SU2C movement at 35,000 feet via the Red™ entertainment platform. Virgin America flight guests can visit the Shop "Make a Difference" section on the Red platform, choose a donation, swipe a credit card and join the fight to bring an end to cancer – right from their seatback touch-screen. 100% of the funds will go to cancer research and efforts designed to speed groundbreaking treatments to patients.
"Virgin America and Virgin Unite are delighted to join forces with Stand Up To Cancer to raise critical funding for cancer research. In addition to the commitment we've made, we hope that millions of travelers will join the fight – from the comfort of their seats at 35,000 feet," said Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson.
The Virgin America-SU2C partnership kicks off just as SU2C returns to primetime television on September 10, 2010, at 8:00PM ET & PT / 7:00PM CT. The star-studded show combines entertainment with an appeal to build continuing public support for cutting-edge cancer research that translates from the laboratory to treatments and technologies that benefit patients. Guests traveling on Virgin America on September 10, 2010, will be able to tune into the show live via the airline's live satellite television line-up. In addition to the unique donation platform on the Red in-flight entertainment system, Virgin America flyers will also be able to watch custom SU2C content on the Red platform throughout the rest of 2010 and in 2011.
"Ending cancer is going to require a true grassroots effort," said Laura Ziskin, one of the Stand Up To Cancer co-founders. "We need for people all over the country to believe that curing cancer is do-able, and to give whatever they can to help the teams of scientists working 24/7 to make that happen. This type of support from a major airline, where guests can learn about our researchers' work and easily donate, is a first for us. We are profoundly grateful to Richard Branson and everyone at Virgin America for standing up to cancer with us," she said.