THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 5, 1995 TAG: 9509050061
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF, WIRE REPORTS
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Jerry Lewis' annual Labor Day telethon raised a record $47.8 million for the battle against muscular dystrophy, officials said Monday.
In Hampton Roads, the telethon raised $264,919 in pledges.
The 30th annual telethon, which began Sunday and ended Monday, was broadcast live to 80 million viewers from CBS' studios in Hollywood, with segments from New York, Branson, Mo., Nashville and Hawaii.
A handful of demonstrators picketed in wheelchairs outside the studio Monday, arguing that the donations don't get where the money is needed.
But police and guards kept two dozen demonstrators from entering the CBS Television City stage from which the 21 1/2-hour extravaganza was being beamed to 190 television stations across the country.
Jim Brown, an MDA spokesman, said that more than 80 percent of the proceeds go directly into research or patient care.
But Gary Cifra, president of Alliance for Research Accountability, said the research funded by the money has failed to produce meaningful results. He said only 16 percent of MDA's funds benefit muscular dystrophy victims directly.
This year's show was designed to highlight comedy and novelty acts, and included appearances by Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander of television's ``Seinfeld,'' Brett Butler of ``Grace Under Fire,'' and comedians Elayne Boosler and Henny Youngman.
The marathon took in $47.1 million last year. by CNB