TONY ORLANDO ELECTED
TO MDA NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

TUCSON, Ariz., March 21, 2003 — Legendary singer, performer, songwriter, music industry executive and television star Tony Orlando of Branson, Mo., has been elected to the national leadership of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Orlando was named to a one-year term as a national vice president of the voluntary health organization during MDA’s recent Board of Directors meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. MDA vice presidents provide counsel in their areas of expertise and assist the Association through advocacy and staunch support of its lifesaving programs and activities.

Orlando, who served as a national MDA vice president from 1987 to 1990, made his first appearance on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in 1976. In 1991, the twin sons of one of Orlando’s cousins received a diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy, a motor neuron disease in MDA’s program.

Orlando, who regularly performs in Branson, Las Vegas and Atlantic City, N.J., will host the New York broadcast of the 2003 MDA Telethon, to be aired Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

“MDA is privileged to benefit from the leadership and dedication of such an outstanding volunteer as Tony Orlando," MDA President & CEO Robert Ross said. “His commitment to MDA’s mission has proved vitally important to our continued progress toward treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases.”

MDA is working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA maintains 230 clinics nationwide, including clinics at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., and St. John’s Regional Health Center in Springfield, Mo.