MDA TELETHON'S $65 MILLION BREAKS RECORD

[Guest guest]

MDA TELETHON'S $65 MILLION BREAKS RECORD

http://www.mda.org/news/080901telethon-tote-2008.html

Jerry sings his signature song, " You'll Never Walk Alone, " and

collects a record $65 million in pledges and contributions to his

43rd annual MDA Labor Day Telethon. This year's 21 ½-hour broadcast

benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association, originating from the

South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, was carried by 180

stations across the country. The 2007 Telethon raised $63.8 million

for MDA's research and services programs.

Despite an uncertain economy and Hurricane Gustav pounding the Gulf

Coast, contributions and pledges to the 43rd annual Jerry MDA

Labor Day Telethon totaled a recordbreaking $65,031,393 — $1.2

million more than last year.

These contributions will enable the Muscular Dystrophy Association to

fund research to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy and

related diseases.

Funds also support hundreds of MDA medical clinics; send thousands of

children to MDA summer camp; and provide assistance with the purchase

of equipment such as wheelchairs and leg braces.

MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry said he is

grateful for the outpouring of support from Telethon viewers.

" Each year I tell myself, 'This has got to be it. There's no way we

can do better.' Then, the following year, I'm astounded to see that

generosity driven by love and compassion has a greater capacity than

I thought possible, " said. " I am awed and humbled by this

response. "

For the third year, the 21 ½-hour event originated from the South

Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. The show was broadcast to

nearly 40 million viewers by some 180 television stations that

comprise MDA's " Love Network. " Millions more worldwide had access to

the Telethon at www.mda.org via RealNetworks.

Veteran showman, MDA Board member and Telethon anchor Ed McMahon made

his 42nd Telethon appearance.

Helping co-host the show this year were Tom Bergeron, host

of " Dancing with the Stars " and " America's Funniest Home Videos; "

Jann Carl of " Entertainment Tonight; " " Days of Our Lives " star and

host of " Biggest Loser " Alison Sweeney; O'Dell, host of the

popular newsmagazine show " Access Hollywood " and the Master of

Malaprop, comedian Norm Crosby. Also co-hosting were recording

artists Ace Young, who serves as MDA Celebrity Ambassador, and

Gilman, MDA National Youth Chairman.

The Telethon schedule included live interviews with families sharing

their experiences living with a muscle-wasting disease and their

hopes for the future. Other guests described the exciting progress

being made in medical research to fight those diseases.

Viewers were entertained throughout the legendary extravaganza by a

top-notch array of singers, dancers, musicians and comedians.

Included in the lineup this year were Celine Dion, 3 Doors Down, Kid

Rock, Sugarland, Ludacris, Lawrence, Menudo, Will Downing,

Bob Thornton, Jimmy Wayne, Lance Burton, Bo Bice,

Wallace, Gloria Gaynor, Bell, Maureen McGovern, Pat Monahan of

Train, Ronn Lucas, Starship, Terry Fator, Tony Orlando and many more.

A highlight of the show was the China's Disabled People's Performing

Arts Troupe, which performed selections from " My Dream, " a musical

dance performance created for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The

troupe brought 27 of its members, each of whom have vision, hearing

or physical disabilities, from China to Las Vegas just for the

Telethon.

MDA is a national voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular

dystrophy and related diseases through programs of worldwide

research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and

public health education.

MDA's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private

contributors.