The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon will return for its 43rd year on Sunday, with longtime hosts of the marathon fundraiser like Ed McMahon joined by newer participants including Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell.
A first-time co-host of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s event, Nancy joined MDA’s efforts to find treatments and a cure for ALS after her mother, Betty, was diagnosed with the disease in November. The disease claimed her mother in June.
Co-hosts will include Ed McMahon (serving for the 42nd time), “Dancing with the Stars” host Tom Bergeron, “The Biggest Loser” host Alison Sweeney, “American Idol’”s Ace Young, singer Billy Gilman, comedian Norm Crosby, entertainer Tony Orlando and Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Bart Conner.
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Performers on the 21 and a half-hour telethon will include such acts as Celine Dion, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock, Sugarland, Ludacris and Reba McEntire.
“I’m truly honored to be joined by such an incredible team of all-stars willing to go all out in the fight against muscular dystrophy,” MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis said in a statement released to Access. “The sheer weight of talent and professionalism these people bring to the show is sure to make this year’s telethon a smashing success.”
The national telethon will feature a steady stream of performances by top entertainers; updates on important research and medical advances in the battle against muscular dystrophy and related diseases; and video profiles and live interviews with individuals and families affected by those diseases.
In 2007, pledges and donations to the MDA Telethon brought in a record $63.8 million.
The broadcast will originate from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas beginning at 9 PM EDT on Sunday, Aug. 31, and ending 21 and a half hours later at 6:30 PM EDT, Sept. 1.
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