MDA 2011, WTF?

I can't believe they fired Jerry Lewis. This is quite a shock, and I find it most disturbing. I mean, come on, I know it's been years since Jerry even stayed up late or woke up early during the telethon, but he was still there, steadfast and true, every single year, even when he looked BAD, like ten years ago. And get this, MDA: The ONLY reason I checked in every year was to SEE how Jerry was doing. Since my donations of late have been sent prior to Labor Day, I can tell you that you have just eliminated my incentive to seek your telethon out. And BTW, did you know that even with Cox Digital Cable service, for the last few years I have not been able to find a single station broadcasting the entire telethon here in Tucson, and this is your WORLD HEADQUARTERS!!! In FACT, for at least the last two years, there's been some late night stretches with absolutely no telethon coverage here. So, if that trend continues, this well may be your last telethon anyhow. The least you could have done was let Jerry host it! As it is, I don't think I'll be continuing to support MDA anymore. You've had it too good for too long, and there's a lot of less visible charities who are equally, if not more, deserving of my support. I would call for a boycott, but that would just hurt the people Jerry begged us to help all these years. I can only hope the research pays off and the treatments and cures are a comin', for Jerry's sake, because at this point, he STILL gets all the credit, in my book! The MDA Telethon without Jerry Lewis is ... just ... unthinkable.

A Letter to the MDA 2010

Dear MDA,

It's always amazing to see how much progress MDA makes each year when the telethon shares the highlights of current research and recent discoveries in the march to find cures. My heart sank a little when I heard that Jerry did not meet his goal of raising a dollar more than last year, but I think the current economic climate is unique in the history of the MDA Telethon and that the final tote this year really reflects that. I will continue to be one of Jerry's ambassadors, because I'm still committed to the idea that the ultimate tribute and thanks that can be given to the man who has given and continues to give so much of his life to this cause will be to actually make the telethon unnecessary in his lifetime by virtue of new treatments and cures for most neuromuscular diseases.

Sincerely,
Gary D. Davidson
Tucson, Arizona

I Sent A Letter to the MDA on 9/9/2005

To Whom It May Concern:

I was very happy to see how much better Jerry Lewis looked this year.  I’ve been worried about him these last few years, because one of my fondest desires is that he’ll live to see Muscular Dystrophy wiped out and be able to do away with the telethon.  I really can’t imagine the MDA telethon without him.

I would also like to praise Mr. Lewis for his decision to give telethon time to the Salvation Army and Hurricane Katrina relief.  There’s no doubt that this decision directly saved lives.  I had been wondering why the Salvation Army was mentioned instead of the Red Cross, but it turns out that the Red Cross refused aid to organizations that weren’t “on the list,” while the Salvation Army wasn’t hampered with such restraints.  This amazing foresight on Mr. Lewis’ part has me in awe.

I was afraid that the pledge goals would not be reached this year because of the concurrent appeal for hurricane relief funds.  That the goals were indeed reached is testament to the generosity and spirit of the American people, a much-needed reflection of who we are that allows me to once again take pride in being an American.  Please tell Jerry Lewis that I love him very much.

Most sincerely,

Gary Davidson

Tucson, Arizona