Telethon 44: A Galaxy of Stars, a World of Compassion

At the end of the 21½-hour marathon show at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, there were several very tired co-hosts and one very tired star, but all were wreathed in smiles.

Despite a woozy economy, Telethon viewers demonstrated conclusively that they support finding cures for progressive muscle diseases, pouring in donations and pledges totaling $60.5 million. Though down $4.5 million from 2008, the sum was exemplary in the degree of generosity it reflected in these tough times.

A sparkling co-host array

Jerry Lewis was backed by a talented team of co-hosts who kept the show moving smoothly and strongly. But one familiar and beloved face was missing this year —

longtime MDA supporter and Telethon anchor Ed McMahon, who passed away in June at age 86. A special tribute to McMahon was aired during the opening hour of the show.

Ed would have been delighted with this year’s show, which was co-hosted by television personality Jann Carl, Nancy O’Dell (“Access Hollywood”), and Alison Sweeney (“Days of Our Lives” and “The Biggest Loser”), along with award-winning vocalists Ace Young and Billy Gilman, who also performed. Veteran Telethon co-host Tom Bergeron (“Dancing with the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos”) made several pre-taped appearances. From New York City, the show was co-hosted by consummate entertainer Tony Orlando; former Olympians Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci co-hosted from Chicago.

Also lighting up the set with sparkling personality and repartee was National Youth Chairman Luke Christie, 16, of Due West, S.C., who co-hosted the Telethon’s youth segments. Luke, a former two-term National Goodwill Ambassador, has spinal muscular atrophy. Although not a co-host, another audience favorite was 10-year- old MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Abbey Umali of Redlands, Calif. Abbey, who has a form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, put the first numbers on the Telethon tote board with a donation of $5,385, raised by reading 35 books in six weeks.

Toward the end of the show, Jerry Lewis asked Abbey to serve a third term as MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, a rare honor. She agreed with obvious delight.