August 20, 2002

On Your Neighbors and Colleagues Who Are 'Stars' of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon

You'll see many stars on the 2002 MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon, airing live for 21½ hours starting at 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 1. Although the celebrity talent roster is in flux virtually up until airtime, such stars as Ray Romano, Aretha Franklin, Larry King, Patti LaBelle and Billy Crystal are provisionally slated to join MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis, Telethon Anchor Ed McMahon and co-hosts Jann Carl, Cynthia Garrett, Norm Crosby, Wayne Brady and Bob Zany in Hollywood; Charo in Las Vegas; and Andy Williams in Branson, Mo.

But there are others who can claim the rank of "star" on the Jerry Lewis Telethon — individuals from all kinds of professions ranging from stock trader to police officer to journalist — some known to the public but many known only to their co-workers and friends.

I'm talking about the adults and children affected by neuromuscular diseases who appear on our Telethon in specially videotaped profile segments often followed by live interview appearances. They could be your colleagues at work, or your neighbors down the street.

26-year-old Gerardo Jimenez of Houston is an accomplished artist who's affected by Duchenne MD.

On this year's Telethon, such individuals include a telecommunications representative from Arvada, Colo., named Steven Bishop, who's facing a tough fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); a talented artist from Houston named Gerardo Jimenez, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy; and an educator and disabilities advocate from Flushing, N.Y., Chris Rosa, who has Becker muscular dystrophy and serves on MDA's Board of Directors.

Chris Johnson, 12, of Chattanooga, Tenn., has Duchenne MD and will be featured on the 2002 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

Others with neuromuscular diseases who'll be appearing on the Telethon include recent college graduate and aspiring broadcaster Mandy Van Benthuysen, who has limb-girdle MD; Bradley Walker, a country singer from Athens, Ala., who has nemaline myopathy; Wall Street stock trader Michael Beier, who has ALS; and a 12-year-old boy from Chattanooga, Tenn., named Chris Johnson, who has Duchenne MD.

Other scheduled profile subjects include a police officer from Neptune, N.J., named George Corbin whose son is fighting a neuromuscular disorder; and broadcaster and inspirational speaker Rob Roozeboom, who lives in Sheldon, Iowa, and has limb-girdle MD.

MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie Stepanek will be the subject of a new MDA video feature to be premiered on Telethon 2002.

One of our most anticipated guests — and one who has become known to millions across the country — will be best-selling poet and MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie Stepanek, who has mitochondrial myopathy. This 12-year-old writing prodigy had a powerful impact when he appeared on our 2001 Telethon via a satellite hookup from Baltimore to share greetings with Jerry Lewis, Ed McMahon and International Association of Fire Fighters President Harold Schaitberger, all of whom were in Los Angeles.

This year, Mattie will be at the Telethon in Hollywood along with his mom, Jeni, and his new service dog, Micah. Mattie will also be seen in a new in-depth video feature that looks at the challenges, both physical and emotional, that Mattie and Jeni — who's affected by an adult form of the same disease that affects him — continue to face on a daily basis.

Columnist Asa Baber will appear on the Telethon in a videotaped segment to talk about his fight against the same disease that took the life of his hero, Lou Gehrig.

Another noted person who's made his name with his pen is Asa Baber, contributing editor and longtime "Men" columnist for Playboy magazine. Baber has ALS. He'll be appearing in a video segment to talk about the destructive nature of the disease and his lifelong devotion to his hero Lou Gehrig, who also had ALS and with whom Baber shares his birthday.

These are remarkable people who deserve a salute from all of us who work to advance the goals of MDA. These individuals and families, by speaking frankly to our MDA video cameras and agreeing to share their dramatic stories with our Telethon audience, are making magnificent contributions to public understanding of the serious nature of neuromuscular diseases.

Chris Johnson, center, with his parents Tony and Angie, was videotaped by MDA's Television Production Division while receiving care at his local MDA clinic.

If, while watching the broadcast, you're moved by the qualities of character shown by these people and by the strength of spirit they display, take action by making a contribution to MDA right away. Support MDA programs in research and health care services to make life better.

In addition to contributing here on the Web site, you can donate over the phone by calling 1-800-FIGHTMD -– you can use either option before, during or after the Telethon — or use the local number that appears on your Telethon screen during the broadcast. Your support is crucially important.

With every best wish…

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