BALTIMORE ARTIST WILL APPEAR
ON JERRY LEWIS MDA TELETHON
TUCSON, Ariz., August 27, 2010 — An artist and art teacher from Baltimore will appear live on the national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon over Labor Day weekend,
Sept. 5-6.
Tommy Roberts, 50, also will appear in a videotaped profile on the show. Preview profile (for media background only) that will accompany his live appearance, and listen to him speak about MDA clinics (for media background only) and the services they provide.
The national broadcast of the Telethon originates from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, beginning at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 5 and lasting for 21½ hours. In the Baltimore area, the show can be seen on WNUV, Channel 54.
Roberts has Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), which causes generalized weakness and wasting affecting the muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders. He uses a manual wheelchair for mobility.
Roberts is a celebrated artist in his community and three of his works are on display with the MDA Art Collection. He works part time as an art teacher, and in addition to his interests in drawing and painting, he enjoys football, basketball, music, movies and travel.
“We’re delighted to have Tommy Roberts on our show,” said Gerald C. Weinberg, MDA president & CEO, and Telethon executive producer. “His life is filled with challenge, yet he perseveres in his hope and confidence that MDA will find a cure for his disease. His story will inspire Telethon viewers.”
In 2009, viewer pledges and donations to the Telethon surpassed $60 million. MDA is the first nonprofit to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association, “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.”
The 2010 show will be broadcast to nearly 40 million viewers in the United States and Canada via more than 170 television stations in MDA’s "Love Network." Millions more worldwide will be able to see the Telethon live on the Internet via the RealNetworks streaming video feed at www.mda.org.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
MDA maintains a clinic for area adults and children with muscle-damaging diseases at Johns Hopkins University Outpatient Center in Baltimore. |
