Telethon Tote Goes Up, Up, Up -
It's a Record!

Jerry Lewis at the 2006 MDA Labor Day Telethon
Telethon star Jerry Lewis thanks millions of Telethon viewers for a record tote board figure.

Maybe it was the return to Las Vegas. Maybe it was the absence of major hurricanes. Maybe it was the innate generosity and compassion of the American public.

Maybe it was a star who’s as passionate today about his cause as he was 50-plus years ago.

Whatever it was, it broke MDA Telethon records on Labor Day weekend. The 41st Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon brought in $61 million in pledges and contributions — an increase of more than 11 percent over last year’s tote board figure.

Norm Crosby and Jann Carl
It’s a love fest between Jerry and Celine Dion.


Bouncing back from a heart attack in June, MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis led the 2006 broadcast from the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas with his trademark humor and boundless zeal. Entertainment ranged from the silly to the symphonic, and families served by MDA told their truths. With assistance from old friends and new, the Telethon brought the message home.

Here are some memorable moments.



 

Jann Carl with Augie, Lynne and Lindsay Nieto // Luke Christie & Augie Nieto
Augie and Lynne Nieto, co-chairpersons of MDA's ALS Division, and daughter Lindsay, share their story with the help of Jann Carl.   The 2006 Telethon was dedicated to Robert Ross, MDA’s longtime chief executive .