MDA JERRY LEWIS TELETHON CELEBRATES 41st YEAR

The Muscular Dystrophy Association will hold its 41st annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon this year. For 21 hours on September 3 and 4, the South Coast Hotel in Las Vegas, will become the stage for this star-studded variety show. Entertainment promises to simultaneously entertain, inform and raise funds for the service and research programs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Last year’s Telethon raised over $1.6 million in Metro-Detroit.
The Telethon will broadcast in Metro-Detroit on MY20 with hourly features on MDA’s local programs. The national and local segments will present videotaped profiles and live interviews with individuals and families who are served by MDA. Nationally, Jerry Lewis will emcee the event joined by longtime Telethon anchor Ed McMahon and co-hosts Jann Carl, Cynthia Garrett and Norm Crosby. MDA National Youth Chairman Billy Gilman is one of hundreds of entertainers to appear on the national broadcast. Local celebrities will be emceeing portions of the Telethon here in Detroit including Greg Russell, MY20 Detroit, Mark Wilson of 97.1 FM, WOMC’s Dick Purtan, JoAnne Purtan of WXYZ TV, WYCD’s Mike Scott, Lisa Barry and Chris Edmonds of WNIC 100.3, Frankie Darcell from WMXD, Randi Myles of WEXL, Ann Carlini of WRIF and Chris Edwards.
MY20 has been part of MDA's national "Love Network" for 8 years.
Last year, MY20 was honored in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 26th Annual Broadcast Journalism Awards. The awards recognize television programming that increases public understanding of the neuromuscular diseases targeted by MDA and awareness of the Association's programs. My20 received a Bronze Award in the Telethon Research category.
Founded in 1950, the Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health organization dedicated to finding a cure for 43 neuromuscular disorders. MDA funds research worldwide including current projects at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University. In addition, MDA operates 230 hospital-affiliated clinics across the country. Local clinics are located at Children’s Hospital in Detroit, the Michigan Institute for Neuromuscular Disorders in Farmington Hills and Harper University Hospital in Detroit. Services include physical, occupational and respiratory therapy, genetic counseling and testing, social services consultation and year-round patient care.
For more information or to volunteer at this year's Telethon please contact (586) 274.9000.