Hanks, Roberts among stars on 'Stand up to Cancer'

The Associated Press Published Saturday, September 8, 2012 9:34AM EDT

Musician Tim McGraw, left, and actress Gwyneth Paltrow attend "Stand Up to Cancer" at the Shrine Auditorium on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 in Los Angeles. (John Shearer / Invision / AP)

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LOS ANGELES -- Cancer is big, but so are the celebrities determined to help conquer it.

Tom Hanks, Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts were among dozens of stars who appeared Friday on the third Stand Up to Cancer telethon.

Hanks urged viewers to help "build a world where cancer is no more."

The hourlong program was carried commercial-free by major broadcast networks and a number of cable channels.

Some of the stars who participated had seen cancer sicken or claim a family member. Others had fought the disease themselves, including Michael Douglas. He said cancer had "picked a fight with the wrong guy."

Performers included Taylor Swift, Alica Keys and Tim McGraw.

Donations for Stand Up to Cancer were collected by phone and online.