End of an Era

As a kid one of the traditions in my house was to watch the Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon. I can remember my mom having both TV's in the house on, one in the front of the house, one in the back as to not miss a second and especially to hear that they had reached that next million. I don't know if it was the cause, the entertainment, or just us hoping to end this horrific disease, but whatever it was it was made so much better by Jerry Lewis. For those who aren't familiar with MDA, Jerry Lewis has been the National Chairman since the early 1950's and every Labor Day since 1966, Jerry graced us with hilarious jokes, the best entertainers out there, and with the hope of bringing a cure to the millions of people with this disease. (for more about MD click here) His name became synonymous with MDA, and kids with MDA were known as "Jerry's Kids." The man has a heart of gold and when asked about how he would be satisfied with his life he simply responded "get the cure for muscular dystrophy, then I'm fine."

MDA has touched me in a very personal way. A neighbor and close friend of our family has MD and being inspired by his efforts to raise awareness of MD, I joined him and dozens of other kids with MD at the MDA Summer Camp for two years as a camp counselor. Seeing what kind of adversity these kids deal with, some not being able to do basic functions by themselves or facing an untimely death, the amount of determination to live touches even the coldest heart. Its an experience that really everyone should do once in their life if they can.

Late Wednesday after announcing that this would be his last telethon at the age of 85, the board of directors decided to abruptly end his hosting position. While the details are not clear as of yet, this has become a shameful way to end his touching career. I just hope Jerry had his say in the matter and I hope he was the one that made the final decision, but nonetheless, it should not tarnish a great run.

So after hosting the show for nearly 60 years, raising nearly $2.5 billion dollars, touching millions of lives, and demonstrating what a true humanitarian is, we bid Jerry Lewis farewell. As he did at the end of every telethon singing "You'll Never Walk Alone", I hope we don't forget this wonderful man.

LA Times Article: 
MDA Press Release: