MDA TELETHON JUST MISSES RECORD
DESPITE HURRICANE WOES

Final tote: The 39th Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon raised nearly $60 million to help fight muscular dystrophy. For only the second time in the Telethon’s 39-year history, the “tote” was less than the previous year’s, a decline Telethon organizers attribute to the disruptive effects of Hurricane Frances in Florida, a state which historically has contributed millions of dollars to MDA during the Telethon.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6, 2004 – A nationwide outpouring of support for the late child poet Mattie Stepanek almost helped Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association overcome the loss of Labor Day Telethon income from Florida as a result of Hurricane Frances.

MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis and Mattie’s mother, Jeni, appealed to Telethon viewers in other parts of the nation to dig deeper to make up for the losses suffered in Florida, but the $2 million in lost revenue was too much to overcome. The final toteboard figure of $59.4 million was 1.8 percent below last year’s record $60.5 million.

“Even now, Mattie continues to perform miracles,” an exhausted Lewis said after the 21½-hour marathon broadcast ended at 6 p.m. EDT today. “Without the love and hope that Mattie inspired in millions of Americans, there’s no way we would have come so close to reaching our goal in the face of such overwhelming odds. Mattie smiled down on us today.”

Lewis promised to bounce back next year with a bigger, better effort.

Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon co-host Jann Carl (left) interviews Jeni Stepanek, mother of Mattie Stepanek, MDA’s National Goodwill Ambassador, best-selling poet and peacemaker who died of muscular dystrophy at age 13 in June. Jeni Stepanek said she is determined to carry on her late son’s crusade to find treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases.

This was only the second time in 39 years that the Telethon has failed to surpass the previous year’s total. The last time it happened was during the recession of the early 1980s.

With massive power outages and other hurricane-related problems in Florida, MDA experienced a drastic decline in phone pledges and contributions. In addition, fire fighter Fill-the-Boot drives, which account for about $1 million, and other Telethon special events were cancelled.

MDA “Love Network” stations in Jacksonville, Tampa, Sarasota and Gainesville cancelled their broadcasts of the Telethon completely, while all the remaining Florida stations that carry the show only aired the national portion of the program. The weather prevented any of the key local segments, during which most pledges are made, from taking place.

Mattie, 13, MDA National Goodwill Ambassador for almost three years, was known around the world for his best-selling poetry, and his messages of love, peace and hope.

The Telethon originated from CBS Television City in Los Angeles beginning Sunday night, and was broadcast by nearly 200 stations nationwide.

The Telethon, which over the decades has earned a reputation as one of the country’s greatest variety shows, featured its traditional lineup of singing, dancing and comedy performers.

Ed McMahon appeared in his customary role as Telethon anchor, assisted by co-hosts Jann Carl, Cynthia Garrett, Larry King, Norm Crosby, Billy Gilman, Leyna Nguyen, Jeffrey Tambor, Bob Zany and the Muppets. The broadcast was highlighted by appeals and performances by Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Carrot Top, Bill Maher, Charo, Kimberley Locke, Ray Romano, Don Francisco, Billy Crystal, Tony Orlando (also co-hosting in New York), Debbie Reynolds and many others.

Harold Schaitberger, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, hands MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis a check that brings the fire fighters’ contribution in support of MDA to a record $20.3 million for the year.

The spotlight also shone on MDA’s largest national sponsor, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and celebrated the 50th anniversary of its partnership with MDA.

Several IAFF members, including General President Harold Schaitberger, presented checks totaling $20.3 million. Since 1954, the IAFF has raised some $200 million for MDA.

Other MDA national sponsors who made multimillion-dollar contributions on the show included Acosta, Albertson’s, Anheuser-Busch, CITGO, Harley-Davidson, Kroger, Safeway, 7-Eleven and 7-UP.

In addition to entertainment, videotaped and live segments educated viewers about MDA’s programs that provide life-enhancing services and fund research by many of the world’s best scientific minds.

The Telethon drew international viewers via its live Webcast at www.mda.org through streaming media provided by RealNetworks.

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