Founded by Families — MDA’s Focus is Resolute
In June 1950, Paul Cohen, a prominent New York business leader living with a form of muscular dystrophy, invited a group of individuals to meet in his Rye, N.Y., office.  Each had a personal connection to muscular dystrophy, and the gathering focused on the urgent need to raise funds to advance research seeking treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy. The group — so vested in the fight against neuromuscular diseases — formed the organization that became the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). 

Getting Celebrities Involved
One of Cohen’s first goals was to recruit celebrities who could help promote the young Association fighting muscular dystrophy to the American public. Cohen met with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis to advocate that they become champions for the cause. They agreed. 

Martin and Lewis Make First Televised National Appeal for MDA
Thanks to Cohen’s persuasiveness, on Dec. 28, 1951, Martin and Lewis concluded their popular NBC network television show with a special appeal to support muscular dystrophy research. 

Martin and Lewis Plug MDA on National Radio
Expanding the reach of their initial televised appeal, the comedy team of Martin and Lewis made a second national appeal during its Jan. 4, 1952, network radio program. Later that year, Martin and Lewis were named MDA National Co-Chairmen.

Five MDA Telethons in Two Years
Early to recognize the power of television to bolster awareness and raise income for the Association, Cohen’s top fundraising priority was the pioneering work of establishing local Telethons featuring a variety of stars. Thanks to early hosting commitments from top stars, including Robert Alda, Dick Van Dyke, Captain Video and Virginia Graham, MDA successfully promoted the broadcast of five local Telethons in two years:

• Cleveland, Ohio — March 7, 1952
• Atlanta, Ga. — June 6-7, 1952
• Washington, D.C. — Dec. 26-27, 1952 
• Grand Rapids, Mich. — June 27-28, 1953
• Madison, Wis. — Sept. 12-13, 1953. 

NALC Becomes First National Sponsor
Paul Cohen next recruited the National Association of Letter Carriers as the Association’s first national sponsor. The NALC quickly established a nationwide door-to-door campaign for MDA, the first of which took place Nov. 25, 1953. NALC continues to support MDA as a national sponsor.

The inaugural door-to-door campaign was heralded by a special two-hour coast-to-coast television show hosted by Martin and Lewis called “Television Party for Muscular Dystrophy Honoring the Letter Carriers of America for Their Volunteer March for Mercy.”

IAFF Resolves to Fight Muscular Dystrophy
Early in 1954, a group of families affected by muscular dystrophy approached Local 718 fire station in Boston to ask professional fire fighters to help fight muscular dystrophy. Responding enthusiastically, the fire fighters took to the streets with their boots in hand to ask greater Boston to make donations that would be used to fight muscular dystrophy.

The “Fill the Boot”® campaign was an instant success, and on Aug. 19, 1954, the International Association of Fire Fighters’ membership passed a resolution to support the Association’s fight against muscular dystrophy until treatments and cures are found. Nearly 60 years later, professional fire fighters and the IAFF continue their decades-long tradition of being the No. 1 fundraising organization for MDA. In 2011, fire fighters raised more than $27.1 million to advance MDA’s lifesaving mission.

Martin and Lewis Telethon for MDA
Martin and Lewis co-hosted the 1956 Telethon originating from New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall, despite having dissolved their legendary comedic partnership. “The Martin and Lewis Roundup,” was broadcast June 29-30. 

Thanksgiving Telethons Get Under Way
After the successful 1956 Telethon, Lewis was named the organization’s National Chairman. Thanksgivings 1957 and 1959 brought the first two Telethons hosted by Lewis. But because of Lewis’ film commitments, he didn’t host another Telethon until 1966.

MDA’s Legendary Labor Day Telethon Series
The first MDA Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon was broadcast in 1966 by a single station in New York (WNEW-TV). The telecast was so successful that the Association selected Labor Day weekend for its Telethons. Then, with help from broadcasting icons Sylvester “Pat” Weaver and Robert M. Bennett, the Association created the “Love Network” of stations that in 1971 facilitated the nation’s first networked Telethon.

Since 1966, the MDA Labor Day Telethon has been promoted using a variety of names, including the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, “The” Telethon and Stars Across America!. 

The popular Labor Day weekend show has originated from New York, Las Vegas and Hollywood. The annual telecast, now broadcast by more than 150 television stations, frequently includes live remote segments.

Landmark Telethon Success
The most successful fundraising event in the history of television, the MDA Labor Day Telethon series, with Lewis as its iconic host and with help from a legion of top celebrities and entertainers, raised nearly $1.7 billion during its first 46 years.   

For being such an incredible and visible champion for the cause, MDA will be forever grateful for the enduring contribution of Jerry Lewis, a world-class humanitarian.

Year after year, the Telethon reminds America why:

• It’s so important to speed MDA worldwide research seeking treatments and cures for progressive muscle diseases. The comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education that MDA provides families living with neuromuscular diseases is so vital.

• Thousands of philanthropically minded businesses and organizations encourage their customers and members to help MDA defeat muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle diseases.
  
  The prestigious roster of MDA national sponsors includes: Acosta Sales and Marketing Co.; Bally Total Fitness; Burger King; CITGO Petroleum Corp.; ClubCorp; Convenience Store Industry; ERA Real Estate; DECA; Dr Pepper Snapple Group/7UP; Harley-Davidson Motor Co.; International Association of Fire Fighters; Jiffy Lube; Kappa Alpha Order; Lowe's Home Improvement; National Association of Letter Carriers; The National Beta Club; 7-Eleven; Safeway; Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America; and Universal Cheerleaders Association.

Thanks to unwavering public support of MDA through the Telethon series, MDA became the first nonprofit organization to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.” 

Each year’s Telethon success reflects amazing grassroots support of Telethon-related special events nationwide; direct marketing initiatives; sponsor-driven fundraising activities; and pledges and contributions made to MDA by phone (1-800-FIGHT-MD) and by donating online at mda.org during the Telethon broadcast.

Top Stars Make Telethon a Priority for Decades
The Telethon has consistently enjoyed robust support from the biggest stars in show business. Over the years, countless megastars have appeared on the Telethon to help families affected by muscular dystrophy. Many were introduced by Ed McMahon, who, starting in 1968, served as Telethon anchor for 40 years. 

When it comes to memorable moments from the nearly 1,000 hours of live television broadcast during MDA Labor Day Telethons, the surprise 1976 Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis reunion organized by Frank Sinatra still tops a truly incredible list of unforgettable television highlights.

Thousands of the biggest names in show business have appeared on the Telethon, including: Alan Alda, Jason Alexander, Woody Allen, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Carol Burnett, Richard Burton, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Doris Day, Robert DeNiro, Patty Duke, Jimmy Fallon, Don Francisco of “Sabado Gigante”, Jackie Gleason, Whoopi Goldberg, Woody Harrelson, Neil Patrick Harris, Larry King, Burt Lancaster, Jack Lemmon, Howie Mandel, Dr. Phil McGraw, Eddie Murphy, Bob Newhart, Paul Newman, Rosie O’Donnell, Gregory Peck, Regis Philbin, Ray Romano, Mickey Rooney, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, William Shatner, Martin Short, Ed Sullivan, Barbara Walters, Betty White, Robin Williams and Oprah Winfrey.

Consider musical acts, too, and it’s easy to see why the Telethon is so much a part of Americana. The Telethon audience has enjoyed thousands of hit performances by a diverse range of artists, including: Alabama, Count Basie, The Bee Gees, Tony Bennett, Clint Black, Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, Ray Charles, Cher, Kenny Chesney, Chicago, Phil Collins, The Commodores, Perry Como, Sammy Davis Jr., Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Josh Groban, Faith Hill, Enrique Iglesias, Julio Iglesias, Alan Jackson, Jackson Five, Billy Joel, Elton John, Quincy Jones, Tom Jones, KISS, Eartha Kitt, Cyndi Lauper, John Lennon, Tracy Lawrence, Paul McCartney, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw,  John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Oak Ridge Boys, Donny and Marie Osmond, Dolly Parton, Tom Petty, Queen, Debbie Reynolds, LeAnn Rimes, Kid Rock, Kenny Rogers, Carlos Santana, Spice Girls, Ringo Starr, Rolling Stones, Sugarland, Randy Travis, Tina Turner, Eddie Van Halen, Clay Walker, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and Wynonna. Even the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, performed on the MDA Telethon.

Magic for Mission
Yes, the MDA Labor Day Telethon is a star-studded program. While entertainment remains a priority for what truly is the world’s longest-running variety show, some of the most riveting Telethon moments have come from unsung heroes taking the Telethon stage. From MDA national goodwill ambassadors, including Ben Teraberry, Mike Neufeldt, Kelly Mahoney, Ben Cumbo, Sarah Schwegel, Mattie Stepanek, Luke Christie and Abbey Umali; to families sharing how the Association makes concrete differences in their lives; to MDA-funded researchers and clinicians describing why public support of MDA and the Telethon is so vital, the biggest secret to the show’s enduring success is having people express themselves in their own words.

Telethon Goes Prime Time
MDA successfully re-formatted the longest-running televised fundraising event as a six-hour prime-time special in 2011. Returning as co-hosts were Nigel Lythgoe (“American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance”), Nancy O’Dell (“Entertainment Tonight”), Alison Sweeney (NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and author of The Mommy Diet) and Jann Carl (Emmy-winning journalist and executive producer of “SOLD!” on the History Channel). 

Throughout the telecast, top entertainers joined hundreds of local television station personalities, MDA national sponsor representatives, clinicians, scientists and families served by the Association in making on-camera appeals to “Make a Muscle, Make a Difference”® for MDA and to “Be the Next to Flex”® for MDA. 

Reinforcing these appeals is MDA’s award-winning PSA campaign, featuring caring people embracing the “Make a Muscle, Make a Difference” movement. Proud members of the MDA Muscle Team also include: “Today” news anchor Natalie Morales; Max Adler of “Glee”; Brandon Barash of “General Hospital”; NFL greats Kurt Warner and Reggie Bush; NBA center Dwight Howard; WWE Superstar Triple H; and musical artists Blake Shelton, John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting and Train.

Representing the first in MDA’s new era of prime-time Telethons, the show was heavily promoted in all media. Tens of thousands of spots were aired by Clear Channel Radio’s national network of more than 850 radio stations, which also showcased the second annual “Get Discovered!” new artist competition. Three winning “Get Discovered!” groups from a field of more than 7,800 artists enjoyed their big breaks during live network television performances on the prime-time Telethon.

Broadcast on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, from 6 p.m. to midnight in every U.S. time zone, the Telethon also streamed live on the Internet to grab additional viewers worldwide (technology MDA pioneered for Telethons in the late 1990s). The Association ramped up its social media postings in 2011, sparking celebrity tweets and retweets about the show that reached millions of fans. Notable online clips included behind-the-scenes videos and additional Telethon performance posts. They were added to MDA’s multiyear mix of YouTube Telethon appearances that collectively have been watched millions of times during the past five years.

The 2011 Telethon was spectacular and featured extraordinary prime-time performances and appeals by dozens of top entertainers, including: Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Antebellum, Boyz II Men, Ryan Seacrest, Jordin Sparks, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker, Richie Sambora, Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson, Billy Ray Cyrus and rising star Greyson Chance. The Telethon was met with resounding support from the American public, raising $61.5 million.