Telethon breaks its own record

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The 38th annual Jerry Lewis Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association was another record-breaker, raising $60,505,234 in contributions.

The 21 1/2-hour Telethon originated from CBS Television City in Hollywood beginning Sunday night and was broadcast by some 200 television stations nationwide.

After the show ended at 6 p.m. EDT Monday, Lewis, MDA's national chairman and star of the telethon, said he was thrilled to have again fulfilled his annual goal of surpassing the previous telethon's total, $58.3 million in 2002.

"I'm consistently humbled by the generosity of the American public. Every year I ask, and, without blinking, you open your hearts and wallets," said Lewis, who has been MDA's leading volunteer for 50 years.

Lewis, who is battling pulmonary fibrosis, was assisted by longtime Telethon anchor Ed McMahon and national co-hosts Jann Carl, Norm Crosby, Cynthia Garrett, Billy Gilman, George Gray, Leyna Nguyen and Bob Zany. Three Muppets also chipped in to help co-host the show.