There are traditions that you expect to see. Fireworks on the Fourth of July. Christmas Trees on Christmas. The glittering ball dropping in Times Square on New Years Eve. And Jerry Lewis performing the marathon Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association over the Labor Day weekend.
Of course, unlike other traditions, Jerry Lewis is human. His time is limited on the planet, and he cannot forever be the host. But since 1966 he has, and we have expected it. Year after year, virtually without break, from the start to finish. Each time without a word as to why he is so dedicated to this cause.
There has been speculation as to why Jerry Lewis was so involved in the cause (he started his association in the 1950′s, before the marathon ever appered on airwaves). Some believe a family member of Lewis had the disease. Other think there is an unspoken child besieged with the disease. But no one knows. In fact, Lewis once said that the day he died, a secret envelope would contain the secret and that the MDA should use his reason as a pitch to continue to raise funds for his “kids”. Truly a dedicated and passionate cause motivates the man, whatever it may be.
Which makes this year so out of place. Because Jerry Lewis was not involved in his beloved marathon. For the first time since 1966, he is not directly leading the rally to help his kids. And its not his fault. It seems it wasn’t even his decision.
The MDA announced in May that Jerry Lewis would not head the Marathon this year. They also promised that he would sing his signature song, You’ll Never Walk Alone, at the finale. This was tied to Lewis remaining chairman of the MDA. But today we know that is not the case.
Jerry Lewis is no longer chairman of the MDA. He is not fronting the star-studded Telethon that he created and drove to success. With the Telethon reaching 150 stations across the nation, it has been reduced from 21 1/2 hours of continuous live and taped broadcasts of the A-list of entertainers, to a mere 6 hours.
This is not the way Lewis was expected to end his time with the MDA. More than a few expected to see Lewis on that stage till the Grim Reaper itself dragged him off the stage – as Lewis begged, not for time on Earth, but more donations as he forced Death to appear and take him kicking and screaming. Such is the impression that his efforts, which have raised $1.66 billion over the years to support the children suffereing from this muscular disease, have provided.
But the Telethon has changed. It would have had to do so eventually. Jerry Lewis could not remain forever. Yet it still feels to soon. It feels like “Jerry’s Kids” have been striken with another blow beyond the illness that is not their fault.
We hope that the Telethon raises at least as much money as last year. We hope that Warren Buffett takes up the flag bearer position (since he has been busy boasting that he has excess wealth that should be taxed anyway). Maybe Oprah can put her enourmous wealth and popularity to the cause. They don’t have to be Jerry Lewis, they just need to keep his dream and efforts alive.
Each time an icon dies, or a tradition irreparably changes, we must adjust. This Labor Day tradion is such an example. But, honestly, it was never about the icon that led the charge. It was about his passion to help those that need help the most. As long as that never dies, as long as the MDA telethon raises money for “Jerry’s Kids”, as long as the search for – and eventually finding – a cure happens it doesn’t matter who raised the flag of awareness first.
We hope that the Telethon is a success. We hope that new gereations will have their own Jerry Lewis to follow for decades on this and other worthy causes. We don’t see this as a better or worse MDA Telethon, just different. While we miss Lewis, we will never forget that this is his cause and it is as righteous today as in 1966 on 1 television station.
If you want to honor the committment of Jerry Lewis, or just want to help those afflicted with MS, we suggest you visit MDA Ways to Helkp
