MDA Telethon Should Be Called Off

[mrpariot]

I've been a supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association for over 30 years. Having grown up with kids who never lived to be my age because of ALS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Duchenne Dystrophy, I've always had a place in my heart for what Jerry Lewis and the MDA do.

This year, my MDA money will go to the Red Cross.

My opinion: having a telethon for ANYTHING other than Hurricane relief this week is ill-timed, inappropriate, and somewhat suspect in taste. MDA has as much right as anyone to raise money -- as well they should. But to ask for it right now seems like bad timing.

Hold the event a month or two from now...or maybe next spring on a smaller scale. But don't try to get the money out of us right now. Honestly, and for as much respect as I have for Mr. Lewis, it's not right.

As Ed Quinn used to say, that's my opinion. What's yours?

 

[Joseph_Gallant]

I personally think the MDA Telethon should be postponed until Columbus Day weekend.

 

[radiolover78]

I disagree

> I personally think the MDA Telethon should be postponed
> until Columbus Day weekend.
>

I don't agree with you or the other poster. I believe it would be ok to have the MDA Telethon. Just because there is hurricane relief going on now, doesn't mean we shouldn't help other people in other situations.<P ID="signature">______________
Check my website www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>

 

[E-Dub]

Maybe you'll want to read the post below, that says that the telethon will aid in relief efforts for the first 4 hours.

 

[Joseph_Gallant]

Re: I disagree

I was not suggesting an outright cancellation of the MDA Telethon or that it be postponed for several months.

I was suggesting a postponement of five weeks (until Columbus Day weekend). I think a postponement will not only be in good taste, but MDA would make a lot more money for it's research efforts and patient services were the telethon to be held in October than this weekend (September 4th-5th).

 

[Dawn_H]

Re: I disagree

> > I personally think the MDA Telethon should be postponed
> > until Columbus Day weekend.
> >
>
> I don't agree with you or the other poster. I believe it
> would be ok to have the MDA Telethon. Just because there is
> hurricane relief going on now, doesn't mean we shouldn't
> help other people in other situations.


I agree with the other posters that the MDA Telethon should be postponed, like Joseph stated until at least Columbus Day weekend. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't help or support the MDA but now is not the time to ask for money in the wake of a hurricane tragedy.
<P ID="signature">______________
Dawn H</P>

 

[radiolover78]

Re: I disagree

> I was not suggesting an outright cancellation of the MDA
> Telethon or that it be postponed for several months.

I know you weren't suggestion a cancellation, I just think it would be ok to have it now.

> I was suggesting a postponement of five weeks (until
> Columbus Day weekend). I think a postponement will not only
> be in good taste, but MDA would make a lot more money for
> it's research efforts and patient services were the telethon
> to be held in October than this weekend (September 4th-5th).
>

Good points. But not sure what to think. The other poster wants it called off. I don't think it should be.<P ID="signature">______________
Check my website www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>

 

[Markxxx]

Re: I disagree

As someone who works(volunteer) with an organization who helps people get medications they can't afford, I have already seen people in Chicago turned away from getting their meds cause the focus has been shifted to New Orleans.

I can understand this, but the fact is, is it any better that some of the elderly people or people with HIV are NOT going to get their drugs for September, any better than someone in New Orleans NOT getting drugs?

I've run into this last year, and in 9-11. Funds get diverted. And I unfortunately already we have the scams going on.

I personally work with the Salvation Army and Red Cross. They are both wonderful organizations. And I am hoping the Red Cross will come thru and not divert all their funds to New Orleans like they were pressured to do after 9-11

A LOT of other people need help.

Throwing money at a problem NEVER helps. All it does is let the greedy scammer get rich.<P ID="signature">______________
Once I figured out the meaning of life....Then I forgot to write it down.</P>

 

[studiotwenty]

Re: I disagree

As an aside, after 9 11 I wouldn't touch the Red Cross with a ten foot pole.

As a Florida resident, do you postpone the telethon again after the next hurricane?

The cleanup of New Orleans will take years. as painful as it is to think of whats going on in New Orleans...we were whacked by our second hurricane last labor day....the show went on..as it should this year.

 

[rugrats1]

Re: I disagree

> As a Florida resident, do you postpone the telethon again
> after the next hurricane?
>

I recall last Labor Day, when Frances was making landfall the Sunday before and crossing the state. Because of that hurricane, the telethon was bumped from most of Florida's "Love Network" affiliates (with some showing it on their digital feed, without local segments), in favor of continuous hurricane coverage. As a result, the telethon failed to reach their "$1 more" goal, and Jerry mentioned that Frances was to blame.

MDA did put out a 3-hour make-up telethon for Florida stations during the Christmas holiday season. I didn't see that one, though I take it that that telethon featured the best bits from the Labor Day original.