Jerry Lewis telethon: 60 years and counting

For 60 years, Jerry Lewis has led the charge against an insidious children's disease that slowly kills muscle-controlling nerves, then takes the life.

In those years, he said he has raised $2.4 billion ("that's with a B, kid") for research and therapy and aid for those stricken with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases.

His track record of telethon fundraising is nothing short of astounding. "It will never be done again," he said.

The "45th Annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon" starts Sunday night at 9 (locally on WWOR/9) and runs through Monday at 7 p.m.

THE ECONOMY IS AN ISSUE

At 84, Lewis is worried for his children. The nation is still reeling from the Great Recession. Even with a mild recovery, some economists fear a "double dip," meaning another tumble into recession could be on the way.

People are tighter with their donated dollars. In June, the Giving USA Foundation reported that philanthropy in America in 2009 fell 3.9 percent, the second-steepest drop ever.

The MDA telethon has seen an increase in donations in every year but a few, including 2009, when the $60.5 million raised was almost $5 million less than 2008's total.

Lewis is well aware of the country's economic woes. Asked if he's worried, he shrugs: "It was bad last year and look what we did."

DIMINISHED STAR POWER

Lewis just keeps marching on, even with the changing economy, even without the support of stars who once clamored to be seen on the telethon.

"People don't want to do a telethon anymore because they have to get off their butt, get on a plane, come here and do it," he said. "But I don't want them when they don't want to, because they don't come with the right attitude. If they come out of pressure, they're no good to me."