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Stars unite for TV special to fund cancer research

By the CNN Wire Staff
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Michael Douglas gets star support
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • The show will air commercial-free on a slew of stations
  • Among those taking part is Michael Douglas
  • Douglas is undergoing treatment for a throat tumor

(CNN) -- A bevy of stars will take part in a one-hour television special Friday night to raise funds for cancer research.

The "Stand Up to Cancer" special -- hosted by news anchors CBS' Katie Couric, NBC's Brian Williams and ABC's Diane Sawyer -- will air live and commercial-free on all four major network stations and a host of cable outlets.

Among those taking part will be actor Michael Douglas, the 65-year-old star of the upcoming movie "Wall Street: Money Never

Sleeps," who was recently diagnosed with a tumor in his throat.

Video: TV tackles cancer

He is currently enduring a bout of radiation and chemotherapy.

Douglas, who will participate via a taped segment, will join previously announced stars Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara, Christina Applegate, Michael C. Hall, Gabrielle Union, Seth MacFarlane, Mandy Moore and others.

The special will air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Bio, Current TV, Discovery Health, E!, G4, HBO, HBO Latino, MLB Network, mun2, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, The Style Network, TV One and VH1.

CNN's Breeanna Hare contributed to this report.