Jerry Lewis set a new record this year with his MDA telethon by raising over $65 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in his annual televised Labor Day telethon.The 2008 telethon amount for the 43rd annual fund raising event was $1.2 million more than last year.
Lewis said he was prepared to not do as well as the 2007 amount due to the poor economy and high gas prices.
"Every year I tell myself, 'This has got to be it. There's no way we can do better.' Then, the following year, I'm astounded to see that generosity driven by love and compassion has a greater capacity than I thought possible," Lewis said. "I am awed and humbled by this response."
Jerry Lewis, 82, hosted the telethon at the South Point hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Nevada alongside his old friend Ed McMahon, with performances by Tony Orlando, Celine Dion, Kid Rock and Reba McEntire.
MDA is a nonprofit organization working to fight muscular dystrophy and other related diseases through research, support services and public health education.
-
