Led By Don Francisco, MDA National Hispanic Outreach Takes Off

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 16, 2001 - The Muscular Dystrophy Association's landmark outreach to Hispanic Americans, Un Futuro Con Esperanza (A Future With Hope) is adding billboard messages and televised public service ads this month, and will include a Hispanic presence on MDA's Jerry Lewis Telethon on Labor Day weekend.

Ads featuring MDA services will air on Univision and Telemundo stations in Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas and Houston, starting Aug. 20. Billboards touting Un Futuro Con Esperanza are also being placed in those cities.

"Don Francisco"

Led by Latin television superstar and MDA National Vice President Mario Kreutzberger, popularly known as "Don Francisco," the outreach campaign also features radio promotions and print public service ads in Spanish-language U.S. newspapers and magazines. MDA's accelerated outreach to Hispanics is the first of this scale by a mainstream nonprofit organization.

"We're proud to have a star of Don Francisco's caliber on our side in the fight against neuromuscular diseases," MDA President and Telethon Executive Producer Robert Ross said. "For more than 50 years, MDA's services have helped Hispanic families battle these devastating illnesses. With Mario's help, we're making a big difference in the lives of people with muscular dystrophy and related conditions."

Kreutzberger will make bilingual appeals for support of MDA during the 2001 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, Sept. 2-3. The TV star also will give several radio interviews across the country on Aug. 31 to promote the Telethon. The Telethon will air for 21½ hours starting at 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 2, on 200 "Love Network" stations across the country. Check local listings for stations and start times.

As "Don Francisco," Kreutzberger hosts the hugely popular television show "Sábado Gigante," or "Gigantic Saturday." The hit show, which began in Chile, has run continuously since 1962, and is now broadcast worldwide via the Univision network. Kreutzberger recently was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"I'm thrilled to be affiliated with the Muscular Dystrophy Association," Kreutzberger said. "I've admired its good works for many years, and I'm looking forward to doing my part to help defeat neuromuscular diseases and to ensure that the U.S. Hispanic community is fully aware of the important services MDA offers."

MDA offers many publications in Spanish, and this summer the Association debuted its Spanish-language Web site, www.mdaenespanol.org. The expanded outreach program recognizes the dramatic growth in the U.S. Hispanic population.

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. For more information, call (800) 572-1717 or visit www.mda.org.