MDA Telethon Highlights IAFF Partnership

August 26, 2008 – Long-time watchers of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon know that whenever IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger strides onto the stage and greets Telethon star Jerry Lewis, he’ll have a check in his hand and it won’t be a small one.

As MDA’s largest national sponsor, the IAFF has raised nearly $300 million since the partnership began in 1954. These funds have fueled MDA’s worldwide research program seeking treatments and cures for more than 40 forms of neuromuscular disease. In addition, IAFF fundraisers help make possible a nationwide network of specialized medical clinics, financial assistance with certain types of expensive assistive equipment, support groups, informative publications and, of course, accessible summer camp for kids.

The Telethon is the culmination of fire fighters’ long, hard humanitarian labors, and the show is one way MDA pays tribute to those efforts. IAFF members solicit from the public through Fill-the-Boot drives, chili cook-offs, softball tournaments, golf tourneys or other special events. Each hour of the Telethon, viewers also see broadcasts from local television stations, and fire fighters often are an important part of those segments, whether staffing the phones or starring in videos of IAFF fundraising events and MDA summer camp activities.

Be sure to catch all of the Telethon action this year, either on your local television station or on the MDA web site. Broadcast from Las Vegas, Nevada, the Telethon begins at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 31 and concludes Monday, September 1.

MDA supporters can also take part in the Jerry Lewis Telethon Online Auction beginning August 21, 2008. The auction features items donated by celebrities, MDA sponsors and others, including items from Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration. The auction ends September 4. Read more...