Earlier this year, the musical group Jonas Brothers, partnering with Mastercard, released a new single and video dedicated to the fight against cancer. As Stand Up to Cancer ambassadors, Jonas Brothers helped elevate awareness of the cause with “I Can’t Lose,” honoring everyone affected by the disease and celebrating the triumph of beating it.
On Saturday, Jonas Brothers performed “I Can’t Lose” after the fifth inning of Game 2 of the World Series at Rogers Centre in Toronto, adding a special new layer to the long-standing SU2C moment that is a signature of Major League Baseball’s big events.
As has been tradition since 2009, the in-stadium Stand Up to Cancer placard moment, in partnership with Mastercard, aired live on FOX. Players, umpires, managers, coaches and fans held up signs honoring loved ones affected by cancer – those who have survived, those currently in the fight and those who have succumbed to the disease.
Blue Jays slugger George Springer honored his grandparents. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s placard read “Abuela.” Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts' sign read “Ron.” The cameras panned the stands, where fans held up handwritten signs or placards that honored the masses: “Survivors.” “Those We Lost.” “Loved Ones.”
Following the traditional placard moment, the attention turned to Jonas Brothers, who, surrounded by fans on a stage near center field, held up their sign, honoring their dad – cancer survivor Kevin Jonas Sr. – and sang their hit song:
“When I get a day like this, it hits without a warning,
Brush it off, and shake my attitude
I can't lose
When I'm with you
You give me everything, everything that I need
Everything that I need to keep smiling through …”
The earlier recording of the “I Can’t Lose” video, which originally aired during the All-Star Game in Atlanta, involved much more than the Brothers simply performing the song. Superfans were part of it, too – invited to the set to share their stories of perseverance, and surprised with an introduction to the Jonas Brothers, who then gave them the news that they would be part of the song’s release.
A large part of the video focused on life’s celebrations that, for these cancer survivors, aren’t just milestones – they’re gifts:
• The young woman on her wedding day;
• Another celebrating her 30th birthday;
• A mother dancing at her daughter’s wedding;
• Another finding out she’ll soon be a grandmother.
As stated on its website, SU2C is supported by more than 1,100 celebrity ambassadors, many of whom have participated in these telecasts and additional awareness efforts.
Stand Up to Cancer is a groundbreaking initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research and get new therapies to patients quicker.
Since its inception, SU2C has announced multiple Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for new cancer therapies supported by SU2C research.
MLB and its 30 clubs are SU2C's founding donors, supporting innovative cancer research programs. Learn more about SU2C at StandUptoCancer.org/MLB.