Stand Up to Cancer co-founder Noreen Fraser dies aged 63
The TV producer turned activist helped raise $300m for cancer research after she was diagnosed with the disease in 2001.
Thursday 30 March 2017 10:40, UK
Noreen Fraser, one of the co-founders of Stand Up to Cancer, has died from breast cancer at the age of 63.
Her family said she passed away at her Los Angeles home on Monday.
Mrs Fraser was one of several prominent women, including Katie Couric, who founded Stand up To Cancer in 2008.
The organisation aims to get lifesaving treatment to patients more quickly through collaborative research, and has raised a reported $300m (£241m) for research since it was founded.
Another of the founders, Laura Ziskin, also died from breast cancer aged 61 in 2011.
Mrs Fraser's husband, TV producer Woody Fraser, told the Los Angeles Times she became involved after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001.
"She didn't know if she'd see her children graduate from grade school, then high school, then college," he said.
She was able to witness those events, but not her daughter's forthcoming wedding he added.
A post on the Stand Up To Cancer Facebook page paid tribute to her efforts.
It said: "Living with the disease for 16 years, Noreen tirelessly channelled her personal experience - that long, difficult fight - into a movement that helps others.
"We pledge to continue to Stand Up, for Noreen, and for everyone touched by cancer, until cancer is no more."
In 2006 she established the Noreen Fraser Foundation to fund women's cancer research.
The foundation's assets were transferred to the University of California's cancer centre - where a research lab has been named after her - in 2016.
Mrs Fraser produced TV shows including Entertainment Tonight and Home Show and is survived by her husband and two children, her parents and eight siblings.