by Bill Greenberg

The Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon started about 10 minutes late this year.

Star Jerry Lewis was on the Hollywood stage at CBS Television City in plenty of time. But before MDA's 37th Labor Day Telethon could begin, Lewis had some important business to attend to.

First, his voice trembling with emotion, he introduced the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Harold Schaitberger, who's also an MDA vice president.

Surrounded by fellow fire fighters, Schaitberger delivered a simple, yet moving tribute to the courageous fire fighters and emergency personnel who responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and at the Pentagon. Calling those events "the single worst catastrophe our members have ever had to respond to," Schaitberger also remembered the 347 IAFF members who lost their lives that day and thanked MDA for rallying to help the families of the fallen.

Then, against a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and Ground Zero, Patti LaBelle closed MDA's Sept. 11 tribute with a touching rendition of the "Lord's Prayer."

With that painful, yet important task accomplished, Lewis and anchor Ed McMahon settled in and delivered a Telethon that easily lived up to all pre-show expectations and shattered last year's record in pledges and donations.

The Show Must Go On

The 2002 Telethon opened with a brief tribute to fire fighters by Jerry Lewis and IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger.

Lewis' appearance clearly showed the effects of his long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. But he obviously felt much better than he had last year, even joking about his weight gain as a result of prednisone treatments. (Ironically, prednisone is often prescribed to treat certain neuromuscular diseases.)

Even as his breathing occasionally grew labored, he gave his all for "his kids." Lewis and McMahon had plenty of help from Telethon co-hosts Wayne Brady, Jann Carl, Charo, Norm Crosby, Cynthia Garrett, Andy Williams and Bob Zany.

The show featured its trademark blend of entertainment, research updates, and profiles of individuals and families served by

With a total in pledges and donations that shattered last year's record by nearly $1.5 million, Telethon 2002 was an unqualified success.

Among the moving profiles and personal appearances were those of MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie Stepanek. The 12-year-old poet's unique presence and irrepressible spirit touched virtually every hour of the show.

Another Historic Show

In the final hour of the show, Schaitberger said his 255,000-member union had set this year's MDA fund-raising goal as "one dollar more" than last year's $15 million. He then announced that the IAFF didn't get just one dollar more, they got two — as in 2 million more — for a jaw-dropping total of $17 million.

With the fire fighters leading the way, America once again rallied to Jerry's plea, shattering last year's record $56.8 million total by nearly $1.5 million and setting a new Telethon record of $58,276,118.

(upper left) MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie Stepanek thanked Jerry Lewis and TV talk show host Larry King for helping MDA. Mattie described Jerry as "MDA's greatest hero," and Lewis called Mattie "my elixir … my reason to keep doing this."

(upper right) Telethon anchor Ed McMahon filled in for Lewis Monday morning, and announced tote board increases.

(lower left) Multitalented entertainer Wayne Brady serenaded the audience with the classic Ben E. King tune "Stand by Me," dedicated to a delighted Mattie Stepanek. Brady also served as a Telethon co-host.

(lower right) Mandy Van Benthuysen, MDA's National Youth Chairperson for six years (left), introduced youth sponsors during the broadcast. "You've been amazing," said Mandy's friend, mentor and "big sister," Telethon co-host Jann Carl.