JERRY LEWIS MDA TELETHON:
SPECIAL FLORIDA EDITIONS
TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 22, 2004 – In December, the Jerry Lewis Telethon Special Florida Editions for the Muscular Dystrophy Association will give Sunshine State residents a chance to see highlights of the show that many Floridians missed Labor Day weekend because of the hurricanes.
In nine major Florida cities, “mini-telethons” will air for two to three hours each between Dec. 5 and 12.
Following the lead of the 39th annual Labor Day Telethon that aired Sept. 5 and 6, the Telethon Special Florida Editions are dedicated to the memory of Mattie J.T. Stepanek, a renowned poet and MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, who died in June. The editions also will honor the International Association of Fire Fighters, MDA’s largest national sponsor.
The broadcasts raise funds for and awareness of MDA’s programs of research and services benefiting people with any of more than 40 neuromuscular diseases.
Telethon entertainment will include highlights from the national show featuring top-notch performers. In addition, segments will inform Florida viewers about MDA’s cutting-edge scientific research seeking treatments and cures, and the Association’s life-enhancing programs at work today. Local families served by MDA in the nine mini-telethon areas will be profiled in the broadcasts.
This year marked only the second time in the history of the MDA Telethon that the national broadcast failed to surpass the previous year’s total for pledges and donations. The final “toteboard” figure was $59.4 million, 1.8 percent below last year’s record $60.5 million. The shortfall was a direct result of losing most local Telethon broadcasts in Florida to Hurricane Frances. The Telethon is MDA’s largest annual fund-raiser.
“My heart goes out to the people of Florida, who have endured so much this year,” MDA National Chairman Lewis said. “Since many Floridians weren’t able to enjoy their annual ritual of watching our Telethon, I invite them to take advantage of this second chance to see some of the highlights of the show and, if possible, to help ‘my kids.’”
Dates, cities, stations and times for the Florida Edition mini-telethons are as follows:
Sunday, Dec. 5
Panama City, WMBB, 1-4 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 10
Jacksonville, PAX 21, 5-8 p.m.
Orlando, PAX 56, 5-8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 11
Ft. Myers, WFTX, 1-4 p.m.
Gainesville, WCJB, 1-4 p.m.
Tallahassee, WCTV, 1-4 p.m.
West Palm Beach, WPEC, 8-10 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 12
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, WBFS, 1-4 p.m.
Tampa, WFTS, 1-4 p.m.
MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.
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