GAINESVILLE - JERRY LEWIS TO STAR IN 41ST LABOR DAY TELETHON FOR MDA

Airing for 211/2 hours beginning at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday, Sept. 3, the Telethon will originate from the new South Coast Hotel in Las Vegas, and will be shown on some 190 "Love Network" stations nationwide. In Gainesville, the Telethon can be viewed on WCJB ABC 20.

Lewis has dedicated this year's Telethon to Robert Ross, MDA's longtime chief executive, who died in June.

The broadcast's primary aim is raising funds for MDA's programs of research and services for children and adults with any of more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. The Telethon is expected to draw some 50 million viewers nationwide and many more worldwide, thanks to Real Networks, via MDA's Web site, www.mda.org.

Battling his own serious health problems - severe back pain, lung disease and a recent heart attack - has, Lewis says, only deepened his commitment to help "his kids."

"I'm determined to continue the fight against muscular dystrophy and other muscle-wasting diseases, and to put an end to the diseases that Bob Ross devoted his life to conquering," Lewis said. "The Telethon is a tradition — a premier fund-raising event, a chance to inform and educate, to laugh and cry, and to have a good time."

Telethon anchor Ed McMahon will return for his 39th year. Ed was appropriately just named "greatest sidekick of all time" by Entertainment Weekly.

Telethon co-hosts include Jann Carl of "Entertainment Tonight", comedians Norm Crosby and Bob Zany, TV host Tom Bergeron and country singer Billy Gilman.

The Telethon promises a mixture of entertainment - singers, dancers, comedians, bands and novelty acts - that will appeal to many generations.

The show will break away to remote locations, including New York and Chicago, and broadcast special concerts from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

The Telethon will present MDA's cutting-edge scientific research, as well as its life-enhancing programs, such as a national network of clinics, support groups and summer camps for people with neuromuscular diseases.

Each hour, MDA "Love Network" stations will present information about local services and families they benefit. Both national and local segments will feature videotaped profiles and live interviews with individuals and families served by MDA.

Lewis said that, as always, his goal for 2006 is to surpass last year's total by one dollar.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases 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.

# # #

Note:
Visit www.mda.org/telethon/media for more information on the 41st Jerry Lewis Labor Day Weekend Telethon.