Swayze shows up at cancer fundraiser

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Actor Patrick Swayze made an unexpected yet very welcome appearance at a Los Angeles fundraiser to fight cancer, attendees say.

Former NBA player Charles Barkley said the "Dirty Dancing" star, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January, looked very good during his appearance at the Entertainment Industry Foundation's "Stand Up to Cancer" event, People magazine reported Saturday.

"He looks amazing," the basketball star said following Friday's show. "For me, seeing Patrick Swayze, someone who is actually fighting this disease, was the best part of the show. Seeing him in person was amazing."

Show co-producer Noreen Fraser, who also is a cancer survivor, told People Swayze's involvement was invaluable to the fight against the deadly disease.

"I just had to thank him for his appearance. His appearance put this event over the top," Fraser said. "He told me, 'There was no way I was going to say no to this.'"