TELETHON HITS NEW HIGH: $60.5 MILLION!
HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 1, 2003 — The final numbers are
in, and the news is great: The 38th annual Jerry Lewis Telethon for
the Muscular Dystrophy Association was another a record-breaking success.
The Telethon raised $60,505,234 in contributions and pledges to benefit
people with any of more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. The 21½-hour
Telethon originated from CBS Television City in Hollywood beginning
Sunday night and was broadcast across the country by some 200 television
stations in MDA's "Love Network.”
After the show ended at 6 p.m. EDT today, Lewis, MDA’s national
chairman and star of the Telethon, said he was thrilled to have again
fulfilled his annual goal of surpassing the previous Telethon’s
total ($58.3 million in 2002) by at least $1.
“I’m consistently humbled by the generosity of the American
public. Every year I ask, and, without blinking, you open your hearts
and wallets,” said Lewis, who has been MDA’s leading volunteer
for 50 years. “You’ve also let ‘my kids’ of
all ages, and their loved ones, know that they aren’t alone in
this fight.”
Lewis, who continues to cope with the effects of pulmonary fibrosis,
was assisted by longtime Telethon anchor Ed McMahon and national co-hosts
Jann Carl, Norm Crosby, Cynthia Garrett, Billy Gilman, George Gray,
Leyna Nguyen and Bob Zany. Three Muppets also chipped in to help co-host
the show: Pepé the King Prawn, and the duo of Johnny Fiama &
Sal Monella.
The show featured performances and appeals by celebrities from the worlds
of music, comedy, film, television and theater. Famous names appeared
alongside new faces discovered in a nationwide talent search.
Celebrity performers included Cher, Celine Dion, Clay Aiken, the cast
from the Broadway musical “Hairspray,” children’s
musical group the Wiggles, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Don Rickles,
magician Lance Burton, and many more.
Highlights of the broadcast included appearances via satellite by best-selling
poet and peacemaker Mattie Stepanek. Mattie, 13, who is from Baltimore,
serves as MDA National Goodwill Ambassador.
Mattie spoke passionately about the challenges of living with the rare
disease mitochondrial myopathy, and the many ways that MDA helps him.
Along with its usual colorful variety of entertainment, the show informed
viewers about MDA’s life-enhancing services and its research involving
many of the world’s best scientific minds. MDA-funded researchers
gave updates on the Association’s exploration of cutting-edge
methods, such as stem cell and gene therapy, as potential treatments
or cures for 40 neuromuscular diseases.
Videotaped profiles and live interviews introduced viewers to several
individuals and families from across the country who are served by MDA.
"Love Network" stations supplemented the national broadcast
with local segments highlighting MDA activities in their communities.
The Telethon spotlight also shone on several MDA national sponsors who
made multimillion dollar contributions: ACOSTA, Alberston’s, Anheuser-Busch,
CITGO, Harley-Davidson, the International Association of Fire Fighters,
7-Eleven and 7 Up. The Fire Fighters led the way with a record contribution
of $18.3 million.
The Telethon also drew international viewers to its live Webcast at www.mda.org through streaming
media provided by RealNetworks.
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