Dolly Parton and Sheryl Crow Unite for Landmark ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ Special Live from Nashville

This August, two legends of country music are taking center stage — not for fame, but for a far greater cause: the fight against cancer.

On August 15, Dolly Parton will appear alongside host Sheryl Crow in “Stand Up To Cancer’s” (SU2C) first-ever Nashville broadcast special. The event will air live on ABC and stream on Disney+, making it accessible to millions across the country and around the world.

Set against the electric energy of downtown Nashville at The Pinnacle, the hour-long special marks SU2C’s ninth televised fundraising event — but its first to be held in the beating heart of country music. And that change of scenery couldn’t be more fitting.

“Nashville offers a unique and dynamic backdrop; it’s a city that knows how to put on a show,” said executive producer David Jammy.

This isn’t just another benefit concert. It’s a heartfelt call to action featuring unforgettable performances, inspiring stories from cancer survivors, and the latest breakthroughs from top cancer researchers.

Sheryl Crow, who has long used her voice both on stage and in advocacy, will lead the charge as host. Joining her will be fellow musical powerhouse Dolly Parton, whose presence promises not only emotional resonance but a wave of public attention that could help elevate the cause to new heights.

Over the past 17 years, Stand Up To Cancer has evolved into a global movement, uniting over 3,100 researchers across more than 210 institutions worldwide. Founded in 2008 by a group of women in the entertainment industry, the organization has made tangible, life-saving impacts in the world of cancer research.

This special broadcast will highlight those impacts — not just through data, but through the voices of people who are alive today because of SU2C-funded research. From patients who’ve defied the odds to scientists pushing boundaries, every moment is designed to remind viewers: progress is real, and hope is justified.

Major partners like Mastercard, American Airlines, Major League Baseball, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center have lent their full support to the event. The City of Nashville itself has opened its arms to SU2C, amplifying its mission through a celebration that is as emotionally moving as it is visually stunning.

Also featured in a companion segment, Dolly Parton recently sat down with “On The Red Carpet” for its Icons special, offering rare insight into her life, career, and personal connection to causes like SU2C. Her presence on the night of the broadcast adds more than just star power — it brings heart.

The event will be simulcast on over 30 networks and streamed digitally, ensuring its message reaches across demographics, age groups, and continents. It’s more than television — it’s a movement, broadcast in real time.

Whether you tune in for the music, the science, or the human stories behind the headlines, one thing is certain: the August 15 special will be a moment of unity, purpose, and deep emotional impact.

To learn more or get involved, visit StandUpToCancer.org.

When music meets mission, miracles can happen. And on this night, Nashville will prove it.