TUCSON, Ariz. — Bryson Foster of Concord, N.C., will be featured as a co-announcer on the national broadcast of MDA SHOW of STRENGTH, airing Sunday, Sept. 2.

Bryson will work alongside fellow announcer Shawn Parr doing segment introductions and local show cutaways during the broadcast to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

Bryson, 12, also will have his “story of strength” — a segment about Bryson’s daily life as he deals with the effects of muscle disease — told on the three-hour, prime-time special set to air on 150 “Love Network” stations across the country. WAXN-TV, Channel 64, will broadcast the show in the Charlotte area.

“I had an amazing time taping the show and serving as co-announcer with Mr. Parr,” Bryson said. “I started to get a little nervous at first, but once I started talking, I didn’t want to stop. It was so fun!”    

Bryson is MDA’s 2012 National Goodwill Ambassador, and as part of his role, he travels throughout the country (along with parents, Claire and Phil) speaking to groups about MDA’s research and lifesaving mission. Bryson is affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a disease characterized by muscle weakness in the hips, legs and shoulders that eventually affects all voluntary muscles, including those used for breathing.

Bryson is ambulatory but also uses a power wheelchair. Since becoming MDA’s Goodwill Ambassador, Bryson has traveled all over the country representing MDA. He’s affable and energetic, and is a superb public speaker.

“If we find a cure, we can save people’s lives,” Bryson said. “I pray that I can walk again, and that I go out and play basketball with my friends.”

Friends are very important to Bryson, a huge sports fan whose ultimate dream is to become the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Bryson is a fantastic young man with tremendous charisma and humor, but also unfailing honesty about the challenges he’s facing due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy,” said MDA Interim President and Medical Director Valerie Cwik, M.D. “All of us at MDA, including our family of sponsors, know what a great job Bryson’s been doing communicating MDA’s message. I’m thrilled that our national viewers will be able to see for themselves what an outstanding spokesman he is for MDA.”

Cwik added, “He’s done an excellent job in his first year as National Goodwill Ambassador for MDA; he really understands our mission.”

‘Stories of Strength’

MDA SHOW of STRENGTH will feature six “stories of strength” told from the individuals’ and families’ perspectives.       

In addition to Bryson, the other profiles are: Veronica Niño, 45, of Friendswood, Texas; Angela Wrigglesworth, 35, of Houston; Kennedy Healy, 17, of Omaha, Neb.; Latondra Chappell, 14, of Charlotte, N.C.; and Justin Moy, 12, of Concord, Mass.

About MDA SHOW of STRENGTH

MDA SHOW of STRENGTH continues MDA’s Labor Day tradition in a three-hour prime-time broadcast special airing on Sunday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT. The show will include entertaining performances, celebrity appearances and inspirational “stories of strength” about families affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

Among the celebrities and entertainers scheduled to appear are: Carrie Underwood, Pitbull, will.i.am featuring Eva Simons, Carole King, Paula Abdul, All-American Rejects, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, B.o.B, Brandy, Luke Bryan, Gavin DeGraw, Hot Chelle Rae, Karmin, Tim McGraw, Alanis Morissette, Khloé Kardashian Odom, OneRepublic and more.

In addition to being broadcast on 150 “Love Network” stations across the country, the show will be streamed at mda.org.

For information on the rich history of the telethon, visit mda.org/about/telethon-history.

About MDA

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

In addition to funding some 300 research teams worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of 200 medical clinics; facilitates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters fighting progressive muscle diseases.

For the latest research news and information about diseases in MDA’s program, visit mda.org and follow MDA on Facebook at facebook.com/MDAnational and Twitter @MDAnews.