CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pop star
sweethearts Jordin Sparks and Jason
Derulo will "show their strength" for families affected by muscle
disease on the 2014 MDA Show of Strength Telethon, airing tonight
at 9|8c on ABC stations nationwide.
Sparks, who also performed on the MDA telethon in 2011, will
introduce Derulo's performance and televised debut of his new hit
single "Trumpets," that has already earned gold status, on MDA's
national two-hour broadcast show.
Earlier this month Derulo also announced he will headline his
first U.S. tour this fall. The 13-date tour will begin Oct. 15 in Royal Oak,
Mich., continuing his successful promotional campaign behind
new album "Talk Dirty."
The longtime couple also took their support backstage at the
telethon taping at the Hollywood Palladium to meet with families
served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association to learn more about
the organization's mission to save and improve lives of children
and adults affected by muscle disease.
"I was honored to be a part of the telethon again this year
because I got the chance to introduce Jason to a cause I truly
believe in. MDA does so much for children and adults affected by
life-threatening muscle diseases," said Sparks. "Jason and I have
been through a lot of wonderful experiences together, but I think
being part of the 2014 telethon as a couple was especially
meaningful because we got to meet some amazing families and help
continue the progress in the fight against muscle disease."
Derulo and Sparks also did an exclusive interview with
15-year-old "blue carpet" correspondent and MDA Ambassador
Morgan Fritz. Morgan is affected by
spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease affecting the part
of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement.
(Click here to see their exclusive interview and learn why
Sparks and Derulo support MDA.)
The 2014 MDA telethon will feature a star-studded celebrity
lineup with performances from Grammy® winners Rascal
Flatts and LeAnn Rimes,
plus Aloe Blacc, American Authors, Bret Michaels, Fall Out Boy,
Matt Nathanson, R5 and
Sara Evans. Additional
celebrity presenters on the telethon include: Tom Bergeron, ABC's Dr. Richard Besser, Jann
Carl, Charles Esten,
Terry Fator, Kevin Frazier, Josh
Groban, Ludacris, Susan
Lucci, Kesha, Alyssa Milano,
Nancy O'Dell, Brad Paisley, Chris
Powell and Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz.
About MDA Show of Strength Telethon
MDA's first
Labor Day weekend telethon was
broadcast in 1966 on a single New York station and has become the
most successful fundraising event in the history of television. The
show, originally hosted by iconic star Jerry Lewis and with help from a legion of top
celebrities and entertainers, has raised millions each year to
provide life-enhancing support and services for the families MDA
serves. The real stars on the broadcast have always been the MDA
families who have graciously agreed to open their homes and hearts
to America and tell their stories of strength. This year marks the
49th annual MDA telethon.
Check out this special Labor Day message from MDA President and
CEO Steven M. Derks.
R.A. (RAC) Clark, longtime executive producer of the Academy of
Country Music Awards, will return for a third consecutive year as
MDA telethon executive producer.
In addition to funds contributed by the public, substantial
support also comes from MDA's family of national sponsors, whose
work throughout the year on behalf of MDA will be recognized on the
telethon. Among the sponsors: International Association of Fire
Fighters, CITGO Petroleum Corp., Lowe's, Harley-Davidson Motor Co.,
Jiffy Lube International, National Association of Letter Carriers,
The Safeway Foundation, 7-Eleven, Dr Pepper Snapple Group/7UP,
Acosta and Burger King.
Funds raised by MDA telethons also have contributed to the
organization's worldwide research program. Today, through current
clinical trials, there is growing excitement that new lifesaving
treatments and discoveries are on the horizon for many of the
disorders MDA is dedicated to defeating, including Duchenne
muscular dystrophy (DMD), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Visit mda.org/showofstrength to learn more about the 2014 MDA
telethon.
About MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy
Association is the world's leading nonprofit health agency
dedicated to saving and improving the lives of people with muscle
disease, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by
funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures; by
providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA
families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back
through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement.
Visit mda.org and follow us at
facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews. Learn more about
MDA's mission by watching this video.
- MDA -
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SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association