The Muscular Distrophy Association (MDA) raised $61.5 million during their Labor Day telethon Sunday, the group said in a release.
"We're so grateful to everyone who made this amazing outcome possible," said MDA President and Chief Executive Officer Gerald C. Weinberg, as reported by UPI. "Kudos must go to our four outstanding telethon co-hosts, to the entertainment icons performing and making persuasive appeals, to our incredible cause-marketing partners, to more than 150 television stations comprising the 'Love Network,' and to generous Americans in every community. Together, we've confirmed that prime-time is where our telethon can achieve the most for the families we serve."
Celine Dion, Boyz II Men, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride and others performed on the 6-hour telethon, UPI reports. Celebrity appearances included Whoopi Goldberg, Ryan Seacrest and Jennifer Lopez.
The 46th annual telethon raised $61,491,393, up from the $58,919,838 achieved during last year's 21.5-hour telethon and the biggest total since the beginning of the global recession in 2008, UPI reports.
"The tremendous success of the telethon, even in a tough economy where some communities are also being challenged by natural disasters, shows that America understands and appreciates the truly rapid progress being made by MDA-funded researchers worldwide," said Dr. R. Rodney Howell, chairman of the MDA board of directors, as reported by UPI.
