I expected 2011 to be the final year, as previously announced. But for whatever reasons, the 85 year old Mr Lewis and MDA parted ways earlier than they said.
The telethon was different this year, and not just because Mr Lewis was absent. It was only broadcast for 6 hours on Sunday evening. Information was jammed into the shorter time frame, mixed in with features about those stricken with the various neuro-muscular diseases as well as performances. I didn't see a tote board, so there was no tracking the funds raised.
One of the changes I did enjoy was to see more active participation of Luke Christie and Abbey Umali. Luke was national goodwill ambassador in 2006 and 2007, and now serves as MDA national youth chairman. Abbey wraps up her 4th term as national goodwill ambassador this year and has raised over $50k on her own through read-a-thons.
But regardless of the format or the host, Americans are generous. Reports this morning indicate that the final total pledged was $61,491,393, which is up from last year's total of $58,919,838 and also exceeded the 2009 total of $60,481,231.
I don't know what happened between the MDA and Mr Lewis. Change is always hard. The MDA will get a portion of my charitable contributions every year until a cure is found. That is my pledge.
The new production can end the telethon however they like, but for me, this is the way the way we part ways until next year.
Thank you, Mr Lewis, for your years of dedication.
Reason 59: Because I don't know how to be indifferent to the suffering that goes on in the world. I blog for peace because to be idle is to lend some measure of credibility to the idea that it's enough that I am not suffering in this moment. When one suffers we all are the worse for it.
Join us on 4 November. I believe that words have power, so this matters.
