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Jerry
Lewis will star in the 38th annual MDA Telethon Aug. 31-Sept.
1, with the able assistance of longtime anchor Ed McMahon. |
It's Telethon
Time!
Switch on your TV set around 9 p.m. Aug.
31. Turn to the MDA "Love Network" station in your community.
And get ready for 21½ hours of nonstop entertainment, information
and displays of generosity.
The 38th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor
Day Telethon will feature old friends and new on the national broadcast
and local cutaways.
Longtime stalwart Ed McMahon will return
to anchor the national show at CBS Television City in Hollywood. Co-hosts
Jann Carl, Norm Crosby, Cynthia Garrett and Bob Zany also will assist
the star who gives the Telethon its name — and its heart —
MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis.
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Comedian Bob Zany and "Entertainment
Tonight" correspondent Jann Carl will return as co-hosts.
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The entertainment portion of this years
Telethon will have a little different look and sound. Popular performers
will start the show with a bang on Sunday night, and Monday will be
sprinkled with new talent discovered through MDAs own "Stars Across
America" talent search.
Another Sunday highlight will be glimpses
of Harley-Davidsons 100th anniversary bash. MDA Vice President Walter
Anderson will be on hand for the festivities in Milwaukee, along with
MDA California Goodwill Ambassador Alexis Villa.
In research segments, leading MDA-supported
scientists will tell America about MDAs commitment to translational
research — bringing findings from the laboratory to clinical trials
as quickly as possible. Viewers will learn about recent advances in
Pompes disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cardiomyopathy in the
muscular dystrophies and stem cell research.
Besides watching the Telethon on TV, you
can see it online at www.mda.org,
and make donations there, too.
Meet the Families
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MDA
National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie Stepanek is slated to appear
on the Telethon. His conversation with Larry King was a highlight
of the 2002 broadcast. |
For those who are part of the MDA family,
a major Telethon highlight each year is the profiles of those affected
by neuromuscular diseases. This year, profile subjects will represent
a range of ages, locations and disorders, making the show a real "MDA
Across America" broadcast.
You can expect to see some friends return
from last years Telethon, including MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie J.T. Stepanek (Baltimore, mitochondrial disorder) and Steven and Jennifer Bishop, co-chairpersons of MDAs ALS Division
(Denver, Lou Gehrigs disease).
Some of Jerrys Kids
Among new faces slated for profiles this
year is 4-year-old Morgan Fritz (St. Louis, spinal muscular atrophy).
Morgans dad, Ron, a member of the International
Association of Fire Fighters, has helped raised money for MDA for many
years. But when members of the Normandy Fire Protection District, where
he works, realized that someone close to them had a neuromuscular disease,
collections increased dramatically.
In the profile, Ron and his wife, Susan,
emphasize the importance of their MDA clinic and the value of physical
therapy, horseback riding, swimming and other activities in giving Morgan
"a better quality of life."
Shane Bourque (Warwick, R.I., Becker
MD) is an 11-year-old who uses a scooter some of the time. He keeps
the vehicle shiny and clean, but rides his bike every chance he gets.
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Shane Bourque |
His parents, Steve and Denise, say theyd
be "extremely lost without the MDA." They find MDAs clinic
services "absolutely awesome, wonderful."
Adds Shane, "I think my future is
going to be pretty good because Jerry Lewis is helping us and hes trying
to help us recover from the diseases. So I think Ill be able to ride
a bike my whole life."
Erin Kiernan (Baltimore, Friedreichs
ataxia) is a straight-A student and avid horseback rider who serves
as a teen goodwill ambassador for MDA.
MDA support groups mean a lot to Erins
parents, Pat and Karen: "Speaking to parents of children with a
similar disease to your own child is of great support as far as resources
and just someone to talk to. You know they understand where youve been,
where youre coming from."
FA affects Erins walking, speech and
fine motor skills. It also gives her heart problems, scoliosis and trembling
and makes her tire easily.
But the 14-year-old focuses on her love
for MDA summer camp and what she has to offer those around her.
"I hope they find a cure for everyone
and that everyone in the world can just start treating people the way
they want to be treated and accepting them for who they are. Thats
what I really want."
Affected Adults
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Elio Navarro |
At 23, Elio Navarro (Tampa, Fla.,
SMA) has accomplished a great deal, thanks to his own efforts, some
technological help, his supportive family and MDA.
"At age 10, I made a critical decision
to use my mind to be successful," he says. Now holding down a full-time
job as a Java software developer, working toward a masters degree,
driving his own van and giving speeches for MDA, hes more than fulfilled
his and others expectations.
Love is another important theme in Navarros
profile.
"Being in a wheelchair, having muscular
dystrophy, you dont think youre ever going to be able to find love,"
he says. But the opening of the profile shows Elio with his girlfriend,
Jessi Rowen, who describes her admiration for Elio and their close friendship.
Navarros profile will be presented in
English and Spanish.
Lateef Murdock (Inkster, Mich.,
Pompes disease) earns his living by composing and producing music in
his basement studio. He credits MDA for lending him a stairlift so he
can continue working.
"Thats a very costly thing to do.
I would never have been able to afford it on my own," the 35-year-old
says.
Murdocks disorder is extremely rare.
Before he made contact with MDA, he thought, "Nobody knew what
I was going through. Nobody knew what I was feeling."
After finding MDA, "It was like,
click, these are people that know. When youre in need of care, you
need to be with people who know whats wrong with you and how to help
you. And the MDA does that."
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Christopher
Rice & Family |
Christopher Rice
(Houston, ALS) doesnt read to his three young children
much any more because his voice has been affected
by ALS. It's affecting his mobility and strength,
too.
At MDAs ALS Center at Baylor College
of Medicine, directed by Stanley Appel, the 38-year-old father and husband
sees about 10 specialists at every visit.
"They're all concerned,
and they know every single detail about me from
the time before. Its fantastic."
Rice's wife, Reda, says
going to the MDA/ALS center is "like having
another family. Its very supporting. Thats the kind
of bond you have because nobody knows until youve
been through it." |
