Posted on 09/07/2009 6:27:16 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Despite the effects of an uncertain economy, contributions and pledges to the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon over Labor Day nonetheless totaled $60,481,231 million.
MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis said he was impressed by the show of support from Telethon viewers even during hard times.
"These are very special people, and their money comes straight from the heart," Lewis said. "Right now, the only thing I can think of to say, other than thank you, thank you is, 'love conquers all.' So many people, everywhere, even with cares of their own, dug deep to show their wonderful compassion for others who need their help."
The funds will allow the Muscular Dystrophy Association to continue funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy and related diseases.
Contributions also provide assistance with purchase of equipment such as wheelchairs and leg braces; send thousands of children to MDA summer camp; and support more than 200 MDA clinics across the country.
Last year's Telethon raised a record $65 million.
Lewis was surprised during the broadcast with the news that he'll be receiving a special Trustees' Emmy award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in January for his work on behalf of MDA.
The legendary 21 1/2-hour event originated for the fourth year in a row from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Las Vegas. It reached nearly 40 million viewers by way of 180 television stations that comprise MDA's "Love Network." People around the world saw the Telethon at www.mda.org via RealNetworks.
Co-hosts of the show included TV's Jann Carl; Nancy O'Dell, host of "Access Hollywood;" and "Days of Our Lives" star and host of television's "Biggest Loser" Alison Sweeney. Also co-hosting as well as performing were recording artists Ace Young and Billy Gilman.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
You know you have to wonder. Where are the Brad Pitts and the George Clooneys? Where are the A listers who make small fortunes for six months worth of work? They are ubiquitous when it comes to polar bears and snail darters, but seem invisible when it is real children they can help.
Curious if anyone heard what he had to say about Ed McMahon.
Are you surprized? Talk is cheap and that's all they do.
I didn’t even know people still watched this thing.
Brad Pitt is building gerbil houses and Clooney is making Nazi movies
Ya gotta respect Jerry. He’s been doing this for 44 years.
Pack it in Jerry. You must have taken abput $1 billion, icluding interest, from us already. Some people must be getting awafully rich & still no cure. Am I alone, or are their others growing weary of Jerry & his beloved Telethon?
I can say a prayer for nothin’. I say pack it in, call it a lifetime.
Pardon typos.
Most modern Liberal do-gooders would like the less than perfect people to die and decrease the surplus population. Raising money to help the sick is the opposite of what they’re about. They support Obama.
I was watching some of Jerry’s old movies on YouTube about a month ago...
he was clever and extremely funny...
Yikes, you are rough tonite. I cant even begin to know where we stand with MD but I think what Jerry Lewis has done is admirable. It doenst seem cool anymore, “The Telethon” but it doesnt mean it isnt important.
This just shows that Americans are a GIVING people. We’re still very generous even during hard economic times.
They did a tribute to him at the beginning of the telethon.
A couple of times, a few years back, I put a tape in the VCR (am I dating myself) and let it run all night. I figured I could see more entertainment that way and skip through a lot of stuff. It was painful.
One year I got taped segments from Branson.
Another, I got the guy from Hollywood Squares and some muppets -- and not even A-list muppets -- hosting, and some really bad acts.
By the way, I’m old enough to remember when he did it in New York City before moving to Vegas.
Thanks to all those who contributed and to Jerry Lewis for doing this for so many years.
what has all this to do with anything....While Americans were raising 60 million dollars to try to cure a disease.....the muslim community was blowing up a girl’s school and destroying a country’s hope for freedom...it figures
Jerry Lewis’ annual MDA drives are a national scam, an embarrassment. A bunch of freeloaders have made millions on this bs, while a ridiculously low percentage of the money raised ever goes to research. There are so many better places to donate money. Not to this swindler.
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