ROCKLIN GIRL TO APPEAR ON
JERRY LEWIS MDA TELETHON

TUCSON, Ariz., August 30, 2010 — Kayla Vittek of Rocklin, Calif., will be featured on the national broadcast of the 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-6.

Kayla, 5, and her parents, Lisa and Jeff, will appear in a videotaped profile on the national Muscular Dystrophy Association broadcast. The profile will be telecast by KQCA, Channel 58.

The national Telethon originates from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, beginning at 9 p.m. EDT., Sunday, Sept. 5, and running for 21½ hours.

Kayla has myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD), a genetic, degenerative disease characterized by weakness and wasting primarily in the voluntary muscles. She uses leg braces, and while her speech improves daily, she also uses a combination of American Sign Language and an assistive communication computer to interact with others.

In addition to participating in horseback riding therapy once a week, Kayla loves to read, dance, listen to music and play basketball with her parents. This year, Kayla started kindergarten, and has been busy making new friends and inspiring her classmates. The Vitteks are active with MDA, participating in fundraisers and volunteering at the Sacramento Telethon each year.

"Kayla's story is so compelling and moving that we decided to show it again this year," said MDA President & CEO Gerald Weinberg. "Kayla is an unbelievable and inspiring little girl. She's so active despite the significant physical challenges she faces, and her family is always willing to help at MDA events."

The star-studded show is expected to be watched by nearly 40 million viewers in the United States and Canada via more than 170 television and cable stations in MDA's "Love Network." People worldwide will be able to see the Telethon live via RealNetworks at www.mda.org.

Social media followers of MDA's Twitter, Facebook and YouTube sites will be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the show during the broadcast.

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 is the first nonprofit organization to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association ("for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity").

MDA maintains a clinic for area adults and children with neuromuscular diseases at the University of California at Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif.