Positively Tampa Bay: Jerry Lewis Telethon 2010
Category Travel | Monday, September 6th, 2010
Jerry Lewis looks on as Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador Abbey Umali performs during the final moments of the 44th annual MDA Telethon on Monday. Shortly after asking Abbey to serve a third term representing MDA, Lewis thanked the American people for their generosity in taking the final tote board to $60.5 million, saying that even though the total was down from last year’s record $65 million, it was an amazing accomplishment considering the state of the nation’s economy.
First broadcast over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by just one TV station in New York City, the unique event starring popular comedian Jerry Lewis quickly caught the public’s attention — and raised more than $1 million. Now the show will be broadcast on more than 170 MDA “Love Network” stations across the country.
In 1998, the MDA Telethon made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast, hosted by RealNetworks on MDA’s website.