September 28, 2010

IN 1966 at Carnegie Hall, over Labor Day Weekend, the first annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon went on the air, starring Jerry Lewis and a host of entertainment luminaries. The broadcast’s co-hosts were Ed McMahon, Jann Carl and Norm Crosby. A wildly diverse collection of thousands of performers has appeared over the last 44 years including Frank Sinatra, former partner Dean Martin, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Ronald Reagan,  Kiss, Ms. Helen Hayes, Merle Haggard, director Martin Scorsese, the Cast of Hairspray and the USC Marching Band. Jerry, his friends and the telethon have raised more than $2.4 Billion dollars in donations. The money goes to research on four major neuromuscular diseases and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s disease. The money also finances the Association’s Advocacy programs, MD clinics, support groups and summer camps. MDA has more than 200 offices across the country, sponsors 220 hospital-affiliated clinics and supports nearly 400 research projects around the world.

For some the arrival of Labor Day and the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon is a disquieting reminder of human frailty at a time when most people want to be out doors enjoying the last days of summer. Over the years the number and variety of entertainers on the telecast has diminished.  For some it is a wonder this aging institution is taken seriously at all; considering the entry level acts it has delivered on recent Labor Days.  But Lewis, the 84 year old stalwart leader and entertainment veteran has not missed a single appearance.  Understandably many of his contemporaries are gone. Only two years ago, long time friend, co-host and Johnny Carson sidekick, Ed McMahon died.  Yet Lewis, thousands of volunteers and a gaggle of little-known performers show up each Labor Day to give to those who suffer.

Aging institutions that tug at our heart strings with the admittedly smaltzy approach of the MDA telethon, are pretty well gone. Advocacy groups for people with MD take exception with the Lewis approach, depicting children as victims who can only be helped by charity. The contemporary disabled community sees itself as actualized human beings in less need of charity than opportunity. Indeed, more MDA money is now channeled into advocacy programs providing access and legislation to support full participation in community. But that does not diminish the impressive result the event delivers. In 1966 the telethon raised a little over one million dollars. So surprised was the staff, they had not prepared the tote board for anything larger than six figures. Jerry had to hand print the number 1 on the board before the weekend was out. This year, the 2010 telethon raised $58.9 million dollars. A lot of money from an 84 year old man and his aging friends. Nearly all of it from just plain American folks sending in ten and twenty dollar donations.

While this form of charitable fund raising may be less conspicuous in the future, we are here to offer thanks to the institution and its indefatigable leader Jerry Lewis. It is the passion with which Jerry marches on that is so admirable. Today he suffers his own afflictions from disease and infirmity. Who wouldn’t at 84? But he does not let it slow him down. Nor does it slow the dedication of those who join him over the course of some twenty hours of live television broadcast. MDA claims it has 250 thousand volunteers working across the nation. Local stars and celebrities show up to answer phones and make pitches when the broadcast breaks away to local markets. Presidents of local businesses, Scout Group leaders, Ladies Clubs, Fire Chiefs and cops all appear to present the local hosts with checks ranging from a few hundred to several thousands of dollars. It is an honored chance for charitable minded civic groups to shine in public and garner a little TV time.

This is where we believe that Jerry Lewis and the MDA have contributed to the lives of Americans in a greater way than we know. Corny, maudlin, sappy… Whatever the detractors accuse the telethon of being - it gets us out of our own little boxes and lives. It serves US to see a diverse group of entertainers and thousands of volunteers working toward one common goal.  Mr. Lewis and the telethon remind us to be grateful for our blessings and to be compassionate toward those less fortunate. It is an event waving the banner of giving and empathy. It provides as much healing and hope for those who write checks, volunteer on the phones, or contribute their talents - as for those who suffer the disease.

In the end Jerry has shown us that perseverance, love, compassion and giving are the unregistered benefits that far exceed the tote board totals. The opportunity for giving has an equal if not greater ameliorative effect than the breakthroughs in MD medicine. And in the way of paradox it is the suffering of children and adults with neuromuscular disease that alleviate the suffering of those of us living “normal” healthy lives. With each hour volunteered or dollar donated, the human condition is benefited. We feel the good in our actions and our selves and even the egos that catalyze our compassion. In a wonderful, ironic way, we who participate, are all “Jerry’s kids.”

To Jerry… You have shared the gift of hope and laughter in our youth, and have encouraged us to give as adults. There are few who have served as well or as nobly as you. Wherever you go, whatever you do next good man… You will never walk alone.

http://www.mda.org/

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An Enemy of Self  - 4/21/2010

Rational Magic - 2/9/2010

What's Goin' On  - 11/28/2009