Cancer research leads to cancer survivors. Just ask Halogen’s Ethan Zohn of “Earthtripping”: “Cancer research is essential for the survival of people like me,” said Zohn. “If it wasn’t for organizations like Stand Up to Cancer funding trials, I wouldn’t be here.”

Zohn, whose lymphoma is currently in remission after a stem cell transplant harvested from his own cells, is one of dozens of celebrities who participated in the Stand Up to Cancer telethon last week. The campaign reports that Americans have rounded up $80 million for the cause. More than 18 million viewers tuned into the event broadcast last week.

During its inaugural year in 2008, the telethon raised $100 million. There is still more time to donate this year and celebrities continue to seek support from the American public.

The telethon, hosted by network news anchors Brian Williams, Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric, was aired on the four major broadcast networks: ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox as well as cable networks like Discovery, Health, E!, HBO, Showtime, VH1 and more. Viewers found themselves chatting with the likes of Will Smith, 2010 Bob Hope Humanitarian award recipient George Clooney, Kyra Sedgwick, Jay Leno, Denzel Washington, Reese Witherspoon, Vanessa Hudgens, Cindy Crawford, Hank Azaria, and Dylan McDermott just to name a few.

During the broadcast, iconic singers like Neil Diamond and Stevie Wonder offered personal testimonies of their experiences with cancer.

“I lost someone very special, my first wife, Syreeta, to breast cancer,” Wonder said.

Christina Applegate, who received a double mastectomy two years ago in her battle against breast cancer, also appealed to the audience along with Michael Douglas, who is currently battling Stage 4 throat cancer.

Viewers also heard intimate accounts from anchors Brian Williams and Katie Couric. An entire portion of the show was dedicated to stars who lost their own battles to cancer, including Patrick Swayze, Nat King Cole, Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Walt Disney and more.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig and his wife Suzanne stand as the star donors for this year, giving a generous $30 million to the cause.

The “Stand Up 2 Cancer” Telecast is available online. Donations can still be made at www.su2c.org and at 1-888-90-STAND (78263).