� Legendary entertainer Jerry Lewis will continue his battle against muscular dystrophy this Labor Day weekend on his 43rd Labor Day Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Originating from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, the live show will air for 21� hours, beginning at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday, Aug. 31, and will be shown on some one hundred eighty "Love Network" stations nationwide. Check hTTP://www.mda.org for local stations and commence times.
The broadcast raises funds for MDA's programs of research, services and education for children and adults affected by whatsoever of more than 40 diseases in MDA's computer program. It's expected to attract some 40 million viewing audience nationwide and many more than worldwide on the Internet via RealNetworks at hypertext transfer protocol://www.mda.org.
"Each year, we see more progress toward my dream of a healthy future for all 'my kids,'" aforementioned Lewis, MDA's national chairwoman. "The Telethon fuels that progress by showing all Americans what's at stakes and appealing to their generosity for help to save and improve cherished lives."
Lewis will share the stage with a variety of celebrity co-hosts, including Emmy-nominated Tom Bergeron of "America's Funniest Home Videos" and "Dancing with the Stars;" Jann Carl of "Entertainment Tonight;"veteran comedian Norm Crosby; award-winning isaac Bashevis Singer Billy Gilman; Alison Sweeney of the daytime TV drama "Days of Our Lives" and host of the reality TV show "The Biggest Loser;" and "American Idol" finalist Ace Young.
A new addition as co-host is Nancy O'Dell of "Access Hollywood," who has joined MDA's efforts to combat ALS (amyotrophic sidelong sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), which claimed the life of her mother in early June.
Ed McMahon, a member of the MDA Board of Directors and former host of numerous television programs, will make his 42nd appearance as Telethon anchor.
Between messages about MDA's programs and family profiles, the Telethon presents gravid entertainment.
Several remote performances will be aired from New York, Chicago and other venues.
Each hour, MDA "Love Network" stations will shorten away from the national broadcast to present information about local families served by MDA.
In 2007, pledges and donations to the MDA Telethon brought in a record $63.8 million.
A new feature of this year's broadcast is the Jerry Lewis Telethon Online Auction at hTTP://www.mda.org/auctions. Starting Aug. 21, it features items donated by celebrities, MDA sponsors and other friends of the Association. Hundreds of items ar up for bid in such categories as journey, unique experiences, electronics, golf game, excursions, sports memorabilia and more. One section carries items from Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary solemnization. The auction bridge ends Sept. 4.
MDA is a nonprofit voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy and related diseases through programs of world-wide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and populace health education. The Association's programs ar funded near entirely by individual private contributors.
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