Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) - News
Get the latest news from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)

• Five Receive Directors' Awards From MDA
  The Muscular Dystrophy Association today awarded its highest philanthropic achievement honor, the MDA Directors' Award, to a corporation, a publication and three individuals.
• Singer Accepts Sixth Term as MDA National Youth Chairman
  Singing sensation Billy Gilman has been named 2008 National Youth Chairman for the MDA.
• Madden, Outback to Raise $1 Million for MDA
  Legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden has teamed up with Outback Steakhouse to raise $1 million to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
• 'Augie's Quest' Book Goes Public November 13
  Fitness pioneer Augie Nieto's autobiography, "Augie's Quest: One Man's Journey from Success to Significance," will be released Nov. 13 by publisher Bloomsbury USA.
• Soap Star Jacob Young Plays Wheel Of Fortune For MDA
  Actor and singer Jacob Young will donate his winnings on the popular game show "Wheel of Fortune" to the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the show's People Celebrity Week. The episode will air on Friday, Nov. 16.
• Bluegrass Singer Bradley Walker Named Male Vocalist of the Year
  Bradley Walker isn't your typical bluegrass singer. But that didn't keep him from rolling off with Male Vocalist of the Year honors at the 18th annual International Bluegrass Music Association awards show at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 4.
• 2007 Edition Of The Toys “R” Us Toy Guide For Differently-Abled Kids Available Now
  The latest edition of the Toys “R” Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, a complimentary toy-selection guide for parents and friends of children with disabilities, is now available in all Toys “R” Us stores nationwide and online at
• Jerry Lewis Urges Congress To Protect Medicare Benefits Of People With Neuromuscular Diseases
  Legendary entertainer and MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis has sent letters to Congress urging passage of legislation protecting the Medicare benefits of those who rely on complex medical equipment and technology, including tens of thousands with progressive neuromuscular diseases.
• Artwork By Iowa Artist Accepted Into MDA Art Collection
  A painting by Dorothy “Dottie” Hunt of Dysart, Iowa, has been accepted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Art Collection. Now in its 15th year, the Collection features artwork by people from across the country with neuromuscular diseases.
• MDA Telethon Raises Record $63.8 Million
  Jerry Lewis today made good on his annual promise to raise at least “one dollar more” for the fight against muscular dystrophy. The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 42nd Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon set a record of $63,759,478 in contributions and pledges, which will fund research, services and information for people with any of the neuromuscular diseases under MDA's umbrella.
• Wisconsin Man Receives Robert Ross MDA National Achievement Award
  Michael Neufeldt of New Berlin, Wis., has been named the recipient of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2008 Robert Ross National Personal Achievement Award.
• ‘Jerry’s Kid,’ Coronado Sailor Appear on Parade Telethon Issue Cover
  An 8-year-old with muscular dystrophy from La Jolla, Calif., and his MDA summer camp counselor, a petty officer from Coronado Naval Amphibious Base, will appear on the cover of the Sept. 2 issue of the national weekly magazine Parade.
• Jerry Lewis Tops List of Celebrities Who Influence Change
  Results from a Nationwide Mutual Insurance survey announced today show that Americans call Jerry Lewis the most influential celebrity for his work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
• Award-Winning Recording Artist Returns to Co-Host Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
  Award-winning recording artist Billy Gilman returns to the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon this year, as a celebrity co-host.
• Top TV Talent Duo to Co-Host Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
  Two familiar faces from top-ranked television programming again will be on hand as co-hosts of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon this year.
• Award-Winning Daytime Television Actress to Co-Host Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
  Actress Alison Sweeney will co-host the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon this year.
• Tony Orlando Marks a Decade as New York Host of Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon Broadcast
  Famed entertainer Tony Orlando will serve for the tenth year in a row as host of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon at its New York City broadcast site.
• Olympic Gold Medalists Return to Co-Host Chicago Telethon Broadcast
  Olympic gymnastics gold medalists Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci will return to co-host the Chicago broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-3.
• 2007 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
  MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis, joined by anchor Ed McMahon and co-hosts, Jann Carl, Tom Bergeron, Alison Sweeney, Tony Orlando, Billy Gilman, Norm Crosby, Bob Zany and the Muppets.
• 1983-84 MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Dies at Age 30
  Christopher Rush, former MDA national goodwill ambassador, died in his sleep at his Ann Arbor, Mich., home during the night of Aug. 11.
• Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon Happy To Be Back In Vegas!
  When the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon is broadcast from Las Vegas this year, the legendary comedian, actor and producer won’t have far to travel.
• MDA Welcomes Chase as Sponsor of Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon
  Chase Card Services, the credit card division of JPMorgan Chase and Co. (NYSE: JPM), and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) formed a new alliance. Chase is now a national sponsor of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
• Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon Will Feature Major MDA Research Advances in 2006-2007
  Gene therapy, gene modification, enzyme replacement and large-scale drug searches are among the highlights of MDA's research program that viewers will learn about on MDA's 42nd annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, broadcast nationwide Sept. 2-3 via some 190 "Love Network" stations.
• MDA Launches 42nd Labor Day Telethon
  Comic legend Jerry Lewis joins friends and entertainers this Labor Day weekend for his 42nd annual Telethon to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
• MDA Publications Receive National Awards
  MDA publications took top honors recently in two print competitions.
• House Joins Senate in Proposing Gold Medal for Jerry Lewis
  Today, legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to honor MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis with the Congressional Gold Medal for his lifelong philanthropy and contribution to entertainment.
• Howell Named MDA Chairman
  Noted pediatrician R. Rodney Howell of Bethesda, Md., and Coconut Grove, Fla., has been elected chairman of the Board of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
• Former MDA Goodwill Ambassador Dies In Car Accident
  Former MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Drew Johnson, 22, died in an automobile accident in Louisiana on June 29.
• MDA Celebrates 15th Year of Art Collection
  The Muscular Dystrophy Association Art Collection is celebrating its 15th year of showcasing the work of artists affected by neuromuscular diseases.
• Artwork By Louisiana Artist Accepted Into MDA Art Collection
  A photograph by Yvonne Nieves of Avondale, La., has been accepted by the Mu