Welcome to MDA | Muscular Dystrophy Association Helping Jerry's Kids.......Telethon History
Few television traditions in America are as popular as the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
The 21½-hour, star-studded variety show simultaneously entertains, informs and raises funds for MDA’s vital service and research programs.
First broadcast over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by a lone 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 in pledges. Now, more than 40 years later, the show will be broadcast by 180 MDA “Love Network” stations, assisted by 250,000 volunteers across the country. Some 40 million people will see the show.
In 1998, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast.
The Telethon derives drama from the ever-increasing fundraising total posted on the “tote board” – operated originally by hand in 1966, now electronically. Jerry’s goal of raising “one dollar more” than the previous year’s total has been more than met almost every year, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the American public. Last year’s total was $65 million.
Where Telethon Dollars Go
The Telethon is the single most important fund-raising event of the year for MDA. Funds raised help the Association carry on its fight against muscular dystrophy and related diseases, including a worldwide program of basic and applied research, a nationwide network of comprehensive medical and support services, and extensive professional and public education.
Children and adults with muscle diseases benefit directly from dollars raised during the Telethon through such services as:
- Specialized care at 220 MDA clinics and 35 MDA/ALS centers;
- free flu vaccinations;
- assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, leg braces and assistive communication devices;
- support groups for individuals and family members;
- MDA summer camp sessions for thousands of children; and
- ongoing public education and up-to-date information.
Research Advances
This year, MDA has allocated more than $42 million for research, funding more than 300 projects worldwide. MDA-funded scientists are making progress in understanding disease mechanisms, as well as testing promising treatments.In 2009, MDA-supported researchers have:
- completed a pilot trial of gene therapy in people with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and found it was not only safe but showed promise of effectiveness
- identified stem cells that develop into specialized muscle-repair cells
- found a gene-repair strategy called "exon skipping" successfully treated dogs with muscular dystrophy when administered systemically
- seen their laboratory efforts to develop exon skipping bear fruit as the technique moves into systemic testing in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy
- identified abnormally leaky barriers between the bloodstream and the spinal cord as a possible factor in ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- found that a protein called utrophin, which can substitute for the protein missing in the most common childhood muscular dystrophy, can significantly help mice with a similar disease when given as an injection
- found a drug called doxycycline, normally used as an antibiotic to fight infections, increased survival time and delayed the onset of paralysis in mice with a form of congenital muscular dystrophy
Celebrity Support
MDA is blessed to have the support of a spectacular array of stars – entertainers, athletes and leaders in business, government and civic affairs – who participate in the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and other MDA activities.
Among those on MDA’s Board are singer and Telethon favorite Maureen McGovern and Olympic gold medalist Bart Conner, also a frequent Telethon co-host.
Other notables serve as MDA vice presidents, including Jann Carl of “Entertainment Tonight;” Alison Sweeney of “The Biggest Loser” and “Days of Our Lives;” Nancy O’Dell of “Access Hollywood;” sports great Nadia Comaneci; and entertainers Tom Bergeron and Tony Orlando; and “American Idol” favorite Ace Young.
And, of course, there’s MDA’s number-one volunteer for more than 50 years. Despite battling debilitating illness, severe back pain and heart surgery in recent years, MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis has never missed a Telethon.
Corporate and Community Involvement
Many organizations and businesses support MDA through fundraising events year-round. From the high school marketing club DECA and the International Association of Fire Fighters, to such corporate friends as Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and CITGO, representatives from MDA’s sponsors appear each year on the Telethon to present Jerry with their contributions.MDA and its Telethon also depend on the solid support of a network of some 2 million volunteers nationwide.
For information on how to help MDA as a volunteer or sponsor, call (800) 572-1717. To learn about MDA online, visit MDA’s Web site at www.mda.org. You also can visit MDA’s site devoted exclusively to ALS at www.als-mda.org, or its Spanish-language site at www.mdaenespanol.org.