KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffMDA Telethon a Great Success!
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Thanks to the hundreds of you who phoned in your telethon pledge, and the thousands of you who gave to the many MDA fundraising events throughout the year! You helped make the 2009 telethon a tremendous success! When we left the air on Labor Day our local total was
$527,039!
That money helps Jerry's Kids right here in the Heartland. From all of the families dealing with MD, the local MDA staff, our local telethon sponsors, and all of us here at KFVS12, thank you.
If you made a pledge, please remember to send it in. You'll be getting an easy to use pledge form in the mail. If you'd still like to contribute, please contact the regional MDA office at 573-335-4400. Your pledge will help with treatment, equipment, and research in our battle to find a cure. Click the link under "site features" for the official MDA Web Site. There you can learn lots more about the telethon and the latest research in the fight for a cure.
Click the links under "Featured Videos" to watch segments that aired in this year's telethon, including a special, touching, message from Jeff Cunningham.
KFVS12 was proud to once again partner with the local MDA to bring you the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. This year's event featured local segments from West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau. The local segments are hosted live by Mary-Ann Maloney and Randy Ray on Labor Day from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Also featured will be on-location updates from Kathy Sweeney at the Paducah Fire Station, and Lauren Keith from Black Diamond Harley Davidson in Marion.
This year's local segments also featured live music from the Jerry Ford Combo who also played for West Park Mall audiences throughout the day.
2009 Telethon sponsors include:About The Telethon
Adults who used to watch as kids now introduce their own children to the 21½-hour, star-studded variety show that simultaneously entertains, informs and raises funds for the service and research programs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
First broadcast over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by just one 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. Now the show is broadcast on 180 MDA "Love Network" stations across the country.
In 1998, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast, hosted by RealNetworks on MDA's Web site.
An "interactive" show long before the computer age popularized the term, the Telethon's drama comes from the ever-increasing fundraising total posted on the tote board - by hand in 1966, now electronically. Jerry's goal of raising "one dollar more" than the previous year's amount has been more than met almost every year, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the American public. In 2008, the total was $65 million.
"I'm determined to keep fighting for a cure for muscular dystrophy because my kids deserve to live long and healthy lives," said Lewis, MDA's national chairman and Telethon star.
The annual extravaganza raises millions of dollars for MDA's research, services and education programs. In 2008, the show brought in a record-breaking $65 million in pledges and donations.
"The Telethon gives us the chance to help put an end to these debilitating diseases, while entertaining and educating the American public," Lewis said.
A variety of celebrity co-hosts joined Lewis onstage. But sadly, his longtime friend and Telethon co-host, Ed McMahon, wasn't there this year. McMahon passed away in June, leaving behind a legacy of 40 years of Telethon appearances. A special video tribute to McMahon was shown during the broadcast.
Co-hosting the show with Lewis was television's Jann Carl, "American Idol" favorite and star of "Grease" on Broadway Ace Young, and Allison Sweeney of the daytime drama "Days of Our Lives" and host of the reality series "The Biggest Loser."
Tom Bergeron of "America's Funniest Home Videos" and "Dancing with the Stars" was also featured.
Nancy O'Dell of "Access Hollywood" returned as co-host and in her new role as MDA National ALS Ambassador. O'Dell is raising awareness of MDA's battle to find a cure for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease). She joined MDA's fight against ALS after her mother died of the disease in 2008.
O'Dell, Carl, Sweeney and Bergeron serve as MDA national vice presidents, and Gilman and Young are MDA celebrity ambassadors.
The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon presented great entertainment again this year, including Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Tony Orlando, Charo, Wynonna, Train, Bo Bice, Terry Fator, comedian George Wallace. Lee Greenwood, Joshua Bell accompanied by Frankie Moreno, Three Dog Night and many more.
A Labor Day icon that set the standard for telethons, the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon typically draws as many viewers as the Emmy's, Oscars or Golden Globe Awards.
Nearly 40 million TV viewers across America tuned in, while countless more around the world will watch on the Internet, thanks to streaming video provided by RealNetworks.
For the second year, an online auction took place in conjunction with the Telethon. The Telethon Online Auction, which runs from Sept. 1-15, includes a wide array of unusual and one-of-a-kind items, many provided by MDA sponsors and celebrity friends.
About the show
Broadcast live from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, the marathon show was carried by 180 "Love Network" stations in the United States and Canada, and on MDA's Web site, www.mda.org. Check MDA's site for local stations and start times.
Each hour, MDA's "Love Network" stations across the country will cut away from the national broadcast to present information and stories about local families served by the Association.
For the first time, social media followers of MDA's Twitter, Facebook and YouTube sites will be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the show during the broadcast.
About MDA
MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat the 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. All of this work is almost entirely funded by individual and private contributors. Services are provided through 230 clinics nationwide including at HealthPoint Plaza in Cape Girardeau. For more information contact the local MDA at (573) 335-4400.
Quick Facts about the Telethon
