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4play See other 4play Articles Title: A rant: The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Well, I may catch some flack for this rant but (and given the curiosity and questions recently concerning the Red Cross and its financial doings) and since Jerry Lewis is on my TV today, here it goes. On the TV today, of course, is the annual ritual which is Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Right Now, its up to $31 Million. “Last year’s record total was $60.5 million.” http://www.mdausa.org/telethon/ Back in 1995, “Jerry Lewis' 30th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $47,800,000” http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1995/september_4_1995_172482.html More facts about the telethon: 32;The first Telethon was held in June 1955 at Carnegie Hall in New York. The 161/2-hour show raised $600,000 for MDA and was broadcast on DuMont station WABD. 32;The first-ever Telethon held on Labor Day weekend, broadcast in 1966 by just one station in New York City, was the first televised fund-raising event of its kind to raise more than $1 million in pledges. 32;Nearly one million volunteers across the country will be involved in the Telethon over this Labor Day weekend. The 2004 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon is the 39th annual show in the Labor Day weekend series. It will be broadcast on some 200 "Love Network" stations across the country and can be seen on the Internet. The MDA Telethon has been held on Labor Day weekend since 1966. Ed McMahon is the anchor of the Telethon, and 2004 will be his 37th Telethon. http://www.mdausa.org/telethon/ “As a result of Lewis' work, the MDA is one of the richest foundations in this country. Last year, it took in over $150 million. That's 150 million smackers in cold, hard cash. Its total assets are close to $200 million. Its expenses are somewhat out of hand, but it spends $15 million a year on research, and an additional $40 million that goes to grants, allocations and assistance to individuals. The MDA's director is paid $350,000. “ http://www.salon.com/people/feature/2001/06/06/lewis/ In addition to the telethon money, the federal government is contributing a substantial amount. Note this tidbit: “TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 27, 2001 - Entertainer Jerry Lewis told a Senate subcommittee today that a $100 million annual increase in government funding is needed to get to the next level in muscular dystrophy research. Lewis, national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, made his first-ever appearance before Congress when he testified before the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. …” http://www.mdausa.org/news/010227mdalewis.html The “next level” of muscular dystrophy research. HHMMMM. What in the hell is the “next level”? What level is the research currently on? How long has it been on that level? “Incidence (annual) of Muscular Dystrophy: 7 annual cases in Victoria 1996 (DHS-VIC) Incidence Rate: approx 1 in 651,450 or 0.00% or 417 people in USA [about data] Last revision: June 4, 2003 “ http://cureresearch.com/m/musdys/prevalence.htm 417 Americans per year. HHHMMMM. Again. Go back and read the annual assistance dollar figure above. Well, gee where is all this money going? Just what has all that money produced? What are the results? Is there really a cure? Will a cure EVER be found? How much is this going to cost? What if there isn’t a cure? What, exactly, can be shown for 40 years worth of telethons and massive government contribution as well? Has it been worth it? Has it been a prudent expenditure? Jerry says the same thing every year since 1966--we’re need your money to help find a cure--send it in. I am starting to wonder.
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#1. To: christine, Jethro Tull, zipporah, Zoroaster, aristeides, FormerLurker, Esso (#0)
Am I way off base here?
No. $160,000,000/417 = $384,000/person. If they haven't found a cure yet.....
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