CHICAGO — Zeno Group has been tapped to handle consumer, corporate and science communications for Stand Up To Cancer, the high-profile nonprofit backed by the entertainment industry.

Zeno was selected in a competitive pitch by the fundraising organization. Stand Up To Cancer, which goes by SU2C, will also continue working with ID-PR, which handles entertainment PR, according to a spokesperson.

“Finding the right agency to help us tell our story supports our efforts to broaden our outreach to the general public and cancer community,” said senior VP of communications Fiona McRobert. “With our agencies, we will be able to focus communications on storytelling that connects consumer audiences to our scientific narrative in new and innovative ways.”

Zeno is charged with bolstering awareness of SU2C’s work across the scientific community, as well as among consumers and corporate donors. The overarching goal is raising more funds, which go specifically to support collaborative efforts among scientists and organizations, and fostering those partnerships.

SU2C has worked with a range of agencies over the years, including recently Rubenstein Communications. Early on, the group received volunteer support from a number of creative firms including Hill + Knowlton, Ogilvy North America and BBDO.

Stand Up To Cancer also is in the process of expanding its internal comms operation with new hires including a VP of health/science and director of consumer/entertainment.

The 11-year old organization, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, has worked with more than 1,600 multi-disciplinary scientists across 180 institutions, awarding grants to teams whose work has contributed to six new cancer therapies.

Leveraging its show business roots, SU2C has raised more than $600m since its inception through annual telethons and collaborations with organizations from Major League Baseball, Mastercard, Bristol-Myers Squib and the Lustgarten Foundation.