Musical performances and inspiring family stories were featured prominently on MDA Show of Strength Telethon.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) telethon aired for two hours on Sunday on ABC television stations.
As of 11 p.m. Pacific time, MDA’s tote totaled $54.1 million. Telethon donations will be accepted through midnight on Labor Day (Sept. 2), when MDA will announce the final total.
For the first time ever, viewers tuning in to the telethon were able to track donations through an online tote board featured on mda.org.
[ Also Read: Jane Lynch Joins Crowdfunding Campaign for Music ]The tote consists of generous donations made by the American public through phone, online and texts, and contributions made by national sponsors who help MDA through their own fundraising campaigns leading into the telethon.
“We have to thank the American public, whose continuing, generous support has helped MDA arrive at a point when lifesaving treatments for muscle diseases are on the horizon,” said MDA president and CEO Steven M. Derks.
Highlights of the 48th annual telethon included multiplatinum group the Backstreet Boys opening the show with a dual performance of their newest single “In A World Like This” and one of the most popular hits of their 20-year career, “I Want It That Way.”
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