Siemens and Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), have announced a campaign to raise funds for cancer research. “The Baton Pass” aims to shorten the time it takes to translate new therapies from the research lab into clinical practice.

“Siemens shares Stand Up To Cancer’s core belief that accelerating the pace at which scientific discoveries are translated to clinical settings is a vital component of the effort to save more lives from cancer,” said Gregory Sorensen, MD, CEO of Siemens Healthcare North America. “Medical imaging and laboratory diagnostic technologies help make these scientific discoveries possible and enable doctors to save lives every day. Siemens Healthcare is proud to engage the public in supporting the SU2C Dream Team researchers through this grassroots campaign.”

A physical, GPS-embedded baton will be passed at events around the country, highlighting the impact of the disease on patients, survivors, doctors, scientists, health care workers, and families. A Facebook app will allow users to track the baton’s progress across the United States and virtually “pass” the baton in memory of loved ones affected by cancer. For each physical and virtual pass, Siemens will donate one dollar up to one million dollars through September 5, 2014. Users can also donate personally at facebook.com/thebatonpass. Proceeds will benefit SU2C.

“Every hour, nearly 200 Americans are told they have cancer,” said Lisa Paulsen, SU2C cofounder and EIF president and CEO. “The next thing they hope to hear is ‘you will survive.’ We are so thankful to Siemens for supporting SU2C’s goal of making everyone diagnosed with cancer a survivor.”

The campaign kicked off in New York City with an appearance on Good Morning America, followed by an event in Times Square. 6,000 New York City taxi cabs have been enlisted to promote the campaign to commuters. An event at New York-Presbyterian Hospital featured Spiderman passing the baton for pediatric oncology patients.

For more information on the initiative, visit The Baton Pass or follow it online at Twitter and Facebook.