JERRY LEWIS REACHES OUT TO MD FAMILIES AFFECTED BY GUSTAV

Encourages Telethon Viewers to Donate to Salvation Army

WHAT:

Muscular Dystrophy Association National Chairman and Telethon Host Jerry Lewis today will use his Labor Day Telethon to encourage families registered with MDA and being evacuated from their homes due to Gustav to seek out MDA services wherever they end up. MDA has almost 5,000 registered families in the affected areas.

Lewis will ask viewers of his 43rd Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon to not only make a donation to the Telethon, but also to make a donation to the Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services.

WHEN:

Immediately

Telethon starts at 9 p.m. EDT, check local listings

WHERE:

Patients can find an MDA office in any location by calling (800) 572-1717 from a landline.

Donations to the Telethon can be made to www.mda.org and (800) FIGHT-MD.

Donations to the Salvation Army can be made to www.salvationarmy.org and (800) SAL-ARMY.

WHY:

People with one of the more than 40 diseases in MDA's program may need MDA services ranging from visits and transportation to one of MDA's 225 clinics, to loans and repairs of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices

WHO:

MDA is a 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. For more information, please visit www.mda.org.