Taylor Swift debuts emotional ‘Ronan’ song at Stand Up to Cancer event [VIDEO] The song is currently No. 1 on iTunes, and 100% of the proceeds go to cancer-related charities. RLG Partner, Carolyn Oberholtzer, serves as chair of the Ronan Thompson Foundation board

RLG partner Carolyn Oberholtzer serves as chair of the Ronan Thompson Foundation board. The song is currently No. 1 on iTunes, and 100% of the proceeds go to cancer-related charities

Hot off the heels of Thursday’s energized MTV Video Music Awards closing act, Taylor Swift slowed things down for an emotional and intimate performance on Friday’s Stand Up to Cancer 2012 telethon.

The singer debuted a new song called “Ronan,” which she wrote for a 4-year-old boy who passed away last year from cancer. Swift wrote the song after reading a blog from the young boy’s mother, Maya Thompson, who is listed as co-author. It became available on iTunes on Friday evening. Proceeds will go to cancer-related charities.

This year’s third annual Stand Up to Cancer telethon was a star-studded event. Along with Swift, Alicia Keys and Coldplay performed, and appearances were made by Justin Timberlake, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sofia Vergara and Robert Pattinson, among others. Teen Olympian Gabby Douglas helped staff the phone banks.

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Swift song for Phoenix boy hailed by critics/The Arizona Republic

Phoenix woman’s blog on son’s death inspired Taylor Swift/The Arizona Republic