Hawai'i gives $352,900 to MDA cause

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

The annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day telethon brought in $352,900 in Hawai'i by its close last night.

The fund-raiser was broadcast this year on KITV. Its host was reporter Ben Gutierrez, who was assisted by local celebrities and other volunteers who collected money on television and in shopping malls.

Nationally, telethon officials said this year's event raised a record $56,780,603 to be used to benefit people with neuromuscular diseases.

The telethon was broadcast for 21 1/2 hours Sunday and yesterday. It originated primarily from Hollywood with other broadcasts from Boston, Nashville, New York, Las Vegas and Chicago.

National MDA Chairman Jerry Lewis said he was gratified to have exceeded last year's total of $54.6 million. Lewis completed his 36th telethon and praised the American people for their generosity.

The association works to defeat neuromuscular diseases through research, comprehensive services, and professional and public health education. More than a million Americans are affected by some form of neuromuscular disease.

Look up the 2001 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Web site for details about the telethon, diseases and research.