CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Viewers
tuning into the 49th MDA Show of Strength Telethon are
in for "Nothin' But a Good Time" when legendary rock star and
reality TV star Bret Michaels covers
American classic "Sweet Home Alabama" on the nationally televised
show airing tonight on ABC television stations across the
country.
In addition to his rockin' performance, Michaels took his support
backstage during the show taping at the Hollywood Palladium to meet
with families served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which
included an exclusive interview with blue carpet correspondent, and
MDA's National Goodwill Ambassador, 9-year old Reagan Imhoff of
New Berlin, Wis.
The charismatic third-grader left a big impression on Michaels,
who was moved to pledge a $10,000
donation to Reagan on the blue carpet to help support
MDA's mission to save and improve lives of children and adults
affected by muscle disease.
Michaels, an avid motorcycle enthusiast, also let Reagan charm
her way into nabbing a chance-of-a-lifetime motorcycle ride on one
of his Harley-Davidson bikes at a later date. Click here to see the
adorable blue carpet interview with Reagan and Bret.
"I was really excited when I got asked to participate in the
telethon this year because I truly believe in the lifesaving work
that MDA does to help kids affected by muscle disease," Michaels
said. "I knew it was going to be a really special experience, but
nothing prepared me for the moment I met Reagan. She reminded me of
my youngest daughter and my heart melted as soon as she asked me to
take her on a motorcycle ride. I would do anything to help these
kids who fight courageously every day. I promised her a motorcycle
ride and I can't wait to make good on that promise."
As part of her role as MDA's National Goodwill Ambassador,
Reagan travels throughout the country (along with parents, Jenny
and Joe) speaking to groups about MDA's mission to save and improve
the lives of families like hers affected by muscle disease.
Reagan has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease
affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary
muscle movement.
Michaels' relationship with MDA began last spring when he
performed at the 27th annual Ride for Life in
Bethlehem, Pa. and met with
14-year-old MDA Ambassador Bryson
Foster. Bryson got the chance to interview the rock icon
during a special meet-n-greet, which inspired Michaels to invite
Bryson onstage for a special finale performance of classic hit
"Nothin' but a Good Time" later that evening.
Michaels also made good on the #ALSIceBucketChallenge when
Bryson, among many others, called out the rocker to take the
challenge, which has raised millions for ALS research. Michaels
took his challenge in a big way, from his record-breaking concert
in Connecticut earlier this month.
MDA has been fighting ALS for more than 60 years. The organization
invests millions in research and services tied to ALS each year.
See Bret's Ice Bucket Challenge here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKy_dLkZwfU.
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, with its iconic host 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.
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, Fall
Out Boy, Jason Derulo, 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, Jordin
Sparks and Fall Out Boy
bassist Pete
Wentz.
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.
At the community level, MDA is planning telethon viewing parties
with hundreds of local groups to rally support for the more than 1
million Americans it helps with lifesaving medical and support
services.
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.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140831/141734
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140820/138230
SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association