Stand Up To Cancer gives celebrities the download in VR campaign
Stephen Fry, Olivia Colman and Danny Dyer front Stand Up To Cancer's latest campaign, one that uses virtual reality films to raise awareness about the science of cancer and its treatment.
Danny Dyer Stands up to Cancer
A joint venture between Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, Stand Up To Cancer hopes to bring the UK together to speed-up progress in life-saving cancer research.
Although cancer is the leading cause of death across the world, every day, lives are saved by the work of scientists around the world who are producing ground-breaking research.
Although it affects a high proportion of lives, understanding the nature of cancer, from its emergence to its treatment is hard to grasp.
The series of VR films are designed to give viewers insights into different elements of the campaign, from the science to the showbiz.
Olivia Colman takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the human body, in the first of the series.
The film shrinks viewers to the size of cells so they can follow ‘nano-tech drug parcels’ through the body. It aims to demonstrate the exciting potential of this experimental new cancer treatment.
The second film is fronted by Stephen Fry, who takes viewers through the history of cancer - from its earliest known instances in dinosaurs to recent scientific breakthroughs.
The final film includes a whole host of celebrities including Chris Smalling; Greg Rutherford; Alexa Chung; Tanni Grey-Thompson; Jamie Laing; Amy-Leigh Hickman; Danny Dyer; Kimberley Wyatt; Jo Brand; Jim Chapman; Madeleine Mantock and Jason Manford.
Each celebrity in the virtual reality film competes to be the viewer’s plus one for the Stand Up To Cancer live show extravaganza in October.
For those who want the ultimate viewing experience, WHSmith stores across the UK are selling exclusive headsets.
Olivia Colman said: “I’m so proud to be a part of these exciting films and dearly hope it will spur more people on to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer’s research.”
Stephen Fry, a survivor of prostate cancer said: "I’ve always believed that history matters greatly. The past illuminates the present. The history of cancer is a pivotal and fascinating story. These wonderful films for Stand Up To Cancer lay that past bare, taboos and all, and stand testimony to the huge strides humans have made in beating this horrible disease."
Each of the three virtual reality films will be promoted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Channel 4's website and Stand Up To Cancer's own site.
The campaign activity will eventually end with the broadcast on Channel 4 of Stand Up To Cancer 2018 later this month.
