Star Lineup Set for MDA Show of Strength Telethon This Labor Day Weekend

CHICAGO, Aug. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The entertainment industry has once again joined together to lend support to the MDA Show of Strength Telethon, benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The 49^th broadcast of the television fundraising event will air in primetime on ABC, Sunday, Aug. 31 (9 p.m. ET /PT, 8 p.m. CT/MT). 

Delivering one-of-a-kind performances of their new, hit or classic songs are Grammy® winners Rascal Flatts and LeAnn Rimes, plus Aloe Blacc, American Authors, Bret Michaels, Fall Out Boy, Jason Derulo, Matt Nathanson, R5 and Sara Evans. The long-standing Labor Day weekend tradition combines performances and celebrity presenters to engage viewers with powerful "stories of strength" and moving calls-to-action to help families affected by muscle diseases.

Celebrity presenters on the telethon include Alyssa Milano, Brad Paisley, Chip Esten, Chris Powell, Jann Carl, Jordin Sparks, Josh Groban, Kesha, Kevin Frazier, Laila Ali, Ludacris, Nancy O'Dell, Pete Wentz, ABC's Dr. Richard Besser, Susan Lucci, Terry Fator, Tom Bergeron and Victor Ortiz.

"MDA's telethon gives us a chance to celebrate the compassionate support of our celebrity friends, sponsors and individuals in communities across the country who give generously to help save and improve lives of those fighting muscle disease," said MDA President and CEO Steven M. Derks. "With clinical trials of potential new therapies underway, this is a time of hope and progress for the children and adults we serve. We urge families and friends to gather together on Aug. 31 to watch, whether via broadcast or online, and see the fantastic performers and inspiring stories of those who are fighting muscle disease with grace and courage."

Next week, telethon premiere parties will take place in communities in every state in the nation to rally MDA families, sponsors and volunteers, as well as to engage new supporters. Public service and promotional campaigns to help promote the show have already started to air.

While the telethon has consistently enjoyed robust support from some of the biggest celebrities in show business, MDA says the real stars on the broadcast are the individuals and families served by MDA, including five families who will share their stories and give the public a glimpse of what it means to live with a muscle disease during the 2014 broadcast.

The complete list of family profiles includes:

• JoeJoe and Dominik Stoop, two energetic brothers, ages 5 and 3 respectively, from Los Angeles who are living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA);
• Torrance Johnson, an outgoing and charismatic 8-year-old from Canton, Mich., also affected by SMA;
• 13-year-old football fanatic Kasey Bennett of Houston who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD);
• Kate Pecora, 15, a mature young lady from North Reading, Mass., living with SMA and taking part in a promising new clinical trial; and
• Eric Von Schaumburg, 31, from Chicago, who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with a "take no prisoners" attitude, and help from his loving family and girlfriend Lindsay.

MDA.org and #MDAmemories and Social Media

MDA supporters are encouraged to visit mda.org/showofstrength to enhance their telethon viewing experience. On Sunday, Aug. 31, the site will have an online telethon tote board keeping track of all donations associated with the televised fundraiser, including those made by national sponsors, direct marketing donors and through calls, texts and online donations made during the broadcast.

New this year, site visitors can submit their favorite MDA memories by sharing favorite stories and remembrances of how MDA and its telethon have touched their lives throughout the decades and years. The campaign is being tracked by the hashtag #MDAmemories and is being shared on MDA's Instagram page and on mda.org.

Additionally, visitors also can check out and share exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the telethon with celebrities and MDA families and sign on to be a "Muscle Maker" for $11 a month. MDA social channels include Facebook at facebook.com/MDANational, Twitter at twitter.com/MDAnews, Google+ at mda.org/plus, Instagram at instagram/mda_usa and Pinterest at pinterest/mdanational.

About MDA Show of Strength Telethon

MDA's first Labor Day weekend telethon was broadcast in 1966 on a single New York station and has become the most successful fundraising event in the history of television. The show, originally hosted by iconic star Jerry Lewis and with help from a legion of top celebrities and entertainers, has raised millions each year to provide life-enhancing support and services for the families MDA serves. The real stars on the broadcast have always been the MDA families who have graciously agreed to open their homes and hearts to America and tell their stories of strength. This year marks the 49th annual MDA telethon.

R.A. (RAC) Clark, longtime executive producer of the Academy of Country Music Awards, will return for a third consecutive year as MDA telethon executive producer.

In addition to funds contributed by the public, substantial support also comes from MDA's family of national sponsors, whose work throughout the year on behalf of MDA will be recognized on the telethon. Among the sponsors: International Association of Fire Fighters, CITGO Petroleum Corp., Lowe's, Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Jiffy Lube International, National Association of Letter Carriers, The Safeway Foundation, 7-Eleven, Dr Pepper Snapple Group/7UP, Acosta and Burger King.    

Funds raised by MDA telethons also have contributed to the organization's worldwide research program. Today, through current clinical trials, there is growing excitement that new lifesaving treatments and discoveries are on the horizon for many of the disorders MDA is dedicated to defeating, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

About MDA

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world's leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to saving and improving the lives of anyone with muscle disease, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews. Learn more about MDA's mission by watching this video.

About ABC Entertainment Group

Formed in 2009, the ABC Entertainment Group, comprised of ABC Entertainment and ABC Studios, develops and produces compelling programming across all day parts for both national and international broadcast and digital platforms, as well as for national syndication. ABC Studios' current hits include "Castle," "Cougar Town" (TBS), "Criminal Minds" (CBS), "Grey's Anatomy," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "Nashville," "Once Upon a Time," "Perception" (TNT), "Resurrection," "Revenge" and "Scandal." The ABC Television Network is also home to the Emmy-winning "Modern Family" and comedy favorites "The Middle" and "The Goldbergs"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank" and long-running hit "Dancing with the Stars"; "General Hospital," which has aired for over 50 years on the network, along with daytime talk shows "The View" and "The Chew"; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live." The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including The Academy Awards®, the Country Music Awards, The American Music Awards and The Billboard Music Awards.

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SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association