Jerry Lewis Telethon with phone

Red outer edge with yellow text on the top and bottom of the button. In the middle section is an image of Jerry Lewis's face holding a telephone while looking over the planet.

Jerry Lewis (1926-2017) was an American comedian, actor, director, and humanitarian. In addition, Lewis served as the national chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Muscular Dystrophy results in the weakening and deterioration of skeletal muscles over a period of time. Through his role with the organization, Lewis hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for 45 years. Broadcast during the Labor Day weekend, Lewis established the telethon to raise awareness and establish funds to combat MDA. The image that appears on this pin was used in 1974 to promote the event. Lewis remained as host from its 1966 inception until 2010. Though there is no known cure to Muscular Dystrophy, the telethon is estimated to have raised $2.45 billion for MDA research between 1966 and 2009.