September 2, 2005

ON 10 HUMANITARIAN REASONS TO SUPPORT THE 2005 JERRY LEWIS MDA LABOR DAY TELETHON

The first national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon emanated from New York’s Americana Hotel in 1966 and was carried on a single television station in New York City. Our 2005 Telethon, which will air for 21½ hours beginning 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 4, is now carried on some 200 MDA “Love Network” stations.

	Jerry Lewis

Because of the national crisis affecting our Gulf Coast states, our Telethon takes on an even more urgent status than usual, and I’d like to focus on 10 reasons in particular why supporting our Telethon is more important than ever before.

1) This year, as was announced to the national media a few days ago by MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis, in recognition of the inconceivable devastation in the region affected by Hurricane Katrina, MDA is making an emergency contribution of $1 million to support relief efforts.

2) Special celebrity guests will be appearing throughout the broadcast to make appeals urging viewers to add to MDA’s donation by calling a specially designated 800 number.

3) MDA will ask that these donations be made in addition to the usual overwhelmingly generous contributions to MDA made during the Telethon by the American public. MDA families in the hurricane region are in need of more help than ever before and the damage to infrastructure in the region has greatly impeded MDA’s ability to continue administering its programs in clinic services and scientific research seeking treatments and cures.

4) MDA’s National Chairman Jerry Lewis and Telethon star will speak eloquently about the Telethon’s pioneer status as an engine of humanitarian relief and about the crucial importance of helping both hurricane victims and the families served by MDA. In addition, Jerry’s Telethon team, including Anchor Ed McMahon and Co-hosts Jann Carl, Cynthia Garrett, Norm Crosby, Larry King, Billy Gilman, Bob Zany and Tom Bergeron, will assist him in carrying out the Telethon’s usual business of providing a mixture of entertainment and advocacy in behalf of children and adults served by MDA, as follows:

5) Walter Anderson, chairman and CEO of Parade Publications, will announce the 2006 recipient of MDA’s National Personal Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments by persons affected by the neuromuscular diseases in MDA’s program.

6) Jann Carl, Casey Kasem, Bart Conner, Walter Anderson and Dr. R. Rodney Howell will deliver periodic bulletins on progress by MDA-funded researchers in the quest for treatments and cures.

7) Two important MDA leaders, MDA Board member Chris Rosa and MDA’s former Director of Online Services Tom Bush will make a live appearance to discuss the positive impact MDA has had on the lives of people with disabilities. Chris has Becker muscular dystrophy, while Tom has spinal muscular atrophy.

8) Morgan Fritz, 6, of St. Peters, Mo., will appear along with her parents, Sue and Ron. The family will discuss Morgan’s experiences serving as MDA’s National Goodwill Ambassador during 2005 as well as the ongoing challenge of dealing with Morgan’s spinal muscular atrophy. Also, MDA’s ALS Division Co-Chairpersons Chris and Reda Rice of Houston will talk about how their family deals with the continued progression of Chris’s ALS.

9) Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and First Lady Kim Henry will talk about their personal connection to MDA and their pride in the recently launched MDA Neuromuscular Center at Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

10) Jann Carl will present an in-depth tribute to the late child poet who served as MDA’s National Goodwill Ambassador for three years until he lost his life to mitochondrial myopathy. The tribute is titled “Play After Every Storm: Remembering Mattie Stepanek” and features interviews with MDA National Vice President and Mattie’s mom, Jeni Stepanek.

Other important reasons to watch and support the Telethon include the exciting lineup of performing talent, with entertainers ranging from Celine Dion to Barry Manilow to Elton John. The Telethon’s full talent roster – which changes up until airtime – will also include such diverse stars as Richard Marx, Sean Astin, Bear in the Big Blue House, Frank Caliendo, Jack Jones, Nicolas King, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Max Alexander, Maureen McGovern, Robert Goulet, George Wallace, the Muppets… and many more!

Of equal importance are the MDA profile families who will be appearing alongside the Fritz and Rice families. I know our viewers will be inspired by such remarkable individuals as Luke Christie, Delle Chatman and Jeff Repetto.

As always, contributions to the Telethon can be made prior to, during and after the broadcast. You can also see the show online at www.mda.org.

I thank you for your support of MDA and for answering MDA’s call to provide relief to the families suffering in the dreadful aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

With every best wish . . .

The Ross Report Archive