AMERICAN EXPRESS DONATES DOLLARS FOR "JERRY'S KIDS"

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 16, 1999 -- American Express, a national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will donate $2 to MDA for every contribution made during the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon using the American Express card.

For the second consecutive year, American Express is amplifying every Telethon donation made to MDA using the American Express card. The offer covers contributions made by telephone or via MDA's Web site, www.mda.org.

"It's an honor to continue this relationship," said David House, president of American Express Establishment Services. "We know our Cardmembers support MDA's mission and services. The $140,000 we're committing to MDA in the Telethon and other special events is our way of expressing that support."

The Telethon, MDA's primary annual fund-raising event, airs for 21½ hours on 200 MDA "Love Network" stations beginning at 9 p.m. EDT Sept. 5. The star-studded program also is being Webcast live in English, Spanish and Japanese at www.mda.org.

"American Express and its Cardmembers play vital roles in the fight against 40 neuromuscular diseases," said Jerry Lewis, MDA national chairman. "Last year, American Express Cardmembers contributed more than $1 million to help 'my kids.' The company sponsored many local events, in which hundreds of its employees participated."

In addition to the Telethon, American Express sponsors local MDA events, including golf outings in Hawthorne, N.Y., and Phoenix; food tasting and sports team events in New York; and an honoree dinner and auction in Las Vegas.

American Express is welcome at stores, restaurants, hotels and service providers where cardmembers charge purchases for products from health and beauty aids to computers and weekend getaways.

American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Express Company, is a diversified worldwide travel and financial services company founded in 1850. It's a leader in credit cards, Travelers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

The Association funds some 400 research teams worldwide. MDA investigators have made significant advances toward cures for several muscle-wasting disorders. They've also pioneered breakthroughs that may lead to therapies for heart disease, cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis. Such great strides have brought MDA-funded scientists to the threshold of human gene therapy trials in some forms of muscular dystrophy.

MDA was the first nonprofit organization honored by the American Medical Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award "for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity."

For more information about MDA or referrals to any of its 230 clinics, call (800) 572-1717 or any of MDA's 211 local offices, or visit www.mda.org on the Internet.

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