Welcome to MDA | Muscular Dystrophy Association Helping Jerry's Kids.......

Jerry Lewis sings his signature closing song, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” as the final tote board shows $60.5 million for his 44th annual Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Monday. Lewis thanked the American people for their generosity, saying that even though the total was down from last year’s record $65 million, it was an amazing accomplishment considering the state of the nation’s economy.

JERRY LEWIS MDA TELETHON ACHIEVES $60.5 MILLION

Confetti rains down on Jerry Lewis
	Confetti rains down on Jerry Lewis as he celebrates the final tote board of $60.5 million for his 44th annual Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Monday. Lewis thanked the American people for their generosity, saying that even though the total was down from last year’s record $65 million, it was an amazing accomplishment considering the state of the nation’s economy.

Jerry Lewis and Abbey Umali
	Jerry Lewis looks on as Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador Abbey Umali performs during the final moments of the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Monday. Shortly after asking Abbey to serve a third term representing MDA, Lewis thanked the American people for their generosity in taking the final tote board to $60.5 million, saying that even though the total was down from last year’s record $65 million, it was an amazing accomplishment considering the state of the nation’s economy.

Jerry Lewis Opens 44th Annual Telethon
	Legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis performs during the opening minutes of the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Lewis, who earlier this year was awarded a special Oscar for his work on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, paid tribute to his friend and longtime Telethon anchor Ed McMahon, who passed away in June. The fundraiser for MDA continues through 6 p.m. Monday. Last year’s Telethon raised a record $65 million for research and services.

Wynonna Judd performs “I Want to Know What Love Is” during the Telethon.
	Wynonna Judd performs during the opening hour of the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Sunday night. The fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association continues through 6 p.m. Monday. Last year’s Telethon raised a record $65 million for research and services.

Jerry Lewis and one of the Cactus Cuties
	12-year-old Blair Elbert of the a cappella group Cactus Cuties shares a laugh with Jerry Lewis at the 44th Annual MDA Telethon in Las Vegas. Millions tuned-in to watch the fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Sept. 6-7. Around the world, millions logged on to watch and donate at www.mda.org.

Jerry Lewis and co-hosts Alison Sweeney, Nancy O'Dell and Jann Carl
	"Days of Our Lives" star and "Biggest Loser" host Alison Sweeney, "Access Hollywood's" Nancy O'Dell and TV-host Jann Carl join Jerry Lewis on stage as he kicks off his 44th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. The three served as co-hosts for the 21 1/2-hour television event Labor Day weekend in Las Vegas.

Lee Greenwood
	American country artist Lee Greenwood entertained millions of viewers in the second hour of the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Sunday night. The 21 ½ hour Telethon was broadcast on 180 television stations nationwide and ended Monday afternoon, Labor Day Weekend. Greenwood joined performers Dolly Parton, Bo Bice and Billy Gilman to help raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Charo
	International entertainer Charo lit up the stage Sunday night on the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in Las Vegas. Charo has performed on 22 Telethons, helping to raise millions of dollars to fight muscle diseases. The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon typically draws as many viewers as the Emmy’s, Oscars or Golden Globe Awards.

Calabrese Family and Alison
	Toledo, Ohio's Dave and Carey Calabrese talk with Telethon co-host Alison Sweeney on the Telethon Sunday Night in Las Vegas. Dave has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease). He played football for more than 20 years and he and his wife now own the Northwest Ohio Knights Minor League Football Team in Toledo. The 44th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon raised $60.5 million on Labor Day weekend in the fight against muscle diseases.

Pennell Family
	Telethon co-host Jann Carl interviews 14-year-old Caroline Pennell, her parents Robin, Pat, and brother Patrick Sunday night in Las Vegas at the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Caroline has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD). The Pennells live in Chesterfield, Va., where they are actively involved in local MDA activities such as "Fill the Boot" and "Stride and Ride." Caroline was profiled on the 2008 Richmond Telethon and served as local MDA Ambassador.

Vance Taylor Family
	Vance Taylor of Oxon Hill, Maryland appeared on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Sunday night with his wife Casey and daughters Isabella and Samantha. Vance has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), a genetic, progressive disease that causes muscle weakness and wasting. He co-hosted MDA’s local Washington Telethon broadcast in 2008 and has visited Capitol Hill to advocate for issues of importance to the people served by MDA. The Telethon was broadcast live in Las Vegas from the South Point Hotel.

Vittek Family
	4-year-old Kayla Vittek from Rocklin, Calif. appeared on the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Sunday night with her parents Lisa and Jeff and Telethon co-host Nancy O'Dell. Kayla has myotonic muscular dystrophy, uses leg braces and communicates with family and friends via American Sign Language.

Nieto Family
	Jerry Lewis talks with Augie and Lynne Nieto, co-chairs of MDA's ALS Division, Monday afternoon at the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in Las Vegas. The Nieto's son, Austin Nieto, and co-host Nancy O'Dell look on as they discuss MDA's Augie's Quest, a major ALS research initiative. Augie was diagnosed in 2005 with ALS, (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). MDA has spent more than $250 million on its ALS programs.

Myers Family
	Tyler Myers breaks up his family and co-host Nancy O'Dell during the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Sunday night in Las Vegas. 12-year-old Tyler has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, his 9-year-old brother Mason is not affected. Brad and Doriann Myers keep their sons actively involved in MDA events such as Harley-Davidson's "Ride for Dreams" and the local Las Vegas Telethon broadcast.

About The Telethon

Adults who used to watch as kids now introduce their own children to the 21½-hour, star-studded variety show that simultaneously entertains, informs and raises funds for the service and research programs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

First broadcast over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by just one TV station in New York City, the unique event starring popular comedian Jerry Lewis quickly caught the public's attention - and raised more than $1 million. Now the show will be broadcast on 180 MDA "Love Network" stations across the country.

In 1998, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast, hosted by RealNetworks on MDA's Web site.

An "interactive" show long before the computer age popularized the term, the Telethon's drama comes from the ever-increasing fundraising total posted on the tote board - by hand in 1966, now electronically. Jerry's goal of raising "one dollar more" than the previous year's amount has been more than met almost every year, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the American public. In 2008, the total was $65 million.