Jerry Lewis MDA Marathon Tops $60 Million

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Despite the tough economy, officials with
the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon say contributions and pledges from
this year's Labor Day event totaled nearly $60.5 million.
Officials say the funds will allow the Muscular Dystrophy
Association to continue funding worldwide research to find
treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy and related diseases.
Lewis, the Tucson-based MDA's national chairman, thanked the
American people for their generosity Monday.
He says 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.
The 44th annual telethon originated for the fourth consecutive
year from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)