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MDA TELETHON TO HIGHLIGHT FIRE FIGHTER SUPPORT
TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 16, 2004 - On Labor Day weekend, the Muscular Dystrophy
Association will pay tribute to the International Association of Fire Fighters
on the 39th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
The Sept. 5-6 broadcast will feature an opening celebration of the
50-year partnership between the IAFF and MDA in the fight against
neuromuscular diseases. The tribute will be led by MDA National Chairman Lewis,
the Telethon's star.
This year's Telethon is dedicated to the memory of Mattie J.T. Stepanek, a
renowned poet and the MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, who died in June.
Mattie held fire fighters in great affection, and they reciprocated with
special friendship. Fire fighters served as pall bearers during his funeral
ceremonies.
Throughout the broadcast, highlights of the partnership history will be shown,
with Lewis' expressions of heartfelt appreciation to members of the IAFF, MDA's
largest sponsor.
"We commend the tremendous efforts of IAFF members, who have taken children
affected by muscular dystrophy and other muscle-wasting diseases under their
wings," MDA President & CEO Robert Ross said. "We want to take every
opportunity to show our profound gratitude to these brave men and women."
In addition, 5-year-old Missouri MDA Goodwill Ambassador Morgan Fritz, who has
a special connection to the IAFF, will be featured on the national show. Morgan
has spinal muscular atrophy, and her father, Ron, is a fire fighter/paramedic
for the Normandy Fire Protection District near St. Louis. The Fritz family will
also be the subjects of a cover story in Parade magazine on Sept. 5.
Since 1954, IAFF members have raised more than $200 million for MDA through
fund-raising activities such as the Fill-the-Boot streetside campaign, golf and
softball tournaments, and other special events. Many fire fighters volunteer at
MDA summer camps across the country.
The Telethon will air for 21½ hours beginning at 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 5.
Originating from CBS Television City in Hollywood, the show will be seen on
some 200 "Love Network" stations
nationwide. Check local listings for stations and start times.
MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular
disease through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and
far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association's
programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.
To learn more about the MDA/IAFF partnership, visit
www.iaff.org/across/mda.html and www.mda.org.
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