  thumb|official mda logo the muscular dystrophy association (mda) is an american organization which combats muscular dystrophy and diseases of the nervous system and muscular system in general by funding research, providing medical and community services, and educating health professionals and the general public. the organization was founded in 1950 by a group of concerned parents of children with muscular dystrophy. originally known as the muscular dystrophy associations of america, the mda was renamed to its present name in the 1970s. comedian and actor jerry lewis was the most well-known celebrity associated with the mda, whose work with the organization was known through his annual telethon that he hosted annually through 2010. other celebrities and entertainers have supported the organization over the years, including ed mcmahon, frank sinatra, dean martin, sammy davis, jr., norm crosby, diana ross, michael jackson, aretha franklin, celine dion, tim mcgraw, tom bergeron, jann carl, pitbull, will.i.am, carole king, brandy, jennifer lopez, paula abdul, backstreet boys ace young, billy gilman, alison sweeney, maureen mcgovern, don francisco, john ondrasik, and nancy o'dell. mda's national office is in chicago, illinois. ==overview==  mda is most famous for its annual telethon, now known as the mda show of strength, held on labor day weekend each year. debuting in 1966, it was previously hosted by lewis, who also served as the mda's national chairman since its inception in 1950. in 2008, the annual labor day telethon raised a record usd$65,031,393. in 2005, the mda made the unprecedented decision to pledge $1 million of the telethon's money raised to hurricane katrina disaster relief, making the donation specifically to the salvation army (though the telethon also urged viewers to give to the american red cross). originally broadcast for up to 21Â½ hours from 1966 to 2010, the event was cut back to six hours in 2011.mda: "mda labor day telethon moves to shorter format", october 6, 2010. the 2011 edition of the telethon was originally announced to have been lewis' last as host, with him continuing his role as mda's national chairman;[http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/16/jerry-lewis-announces-his-final-mda-telethon-appearance/92835/ mda p
1950_establishments_in_the_United_States Muscular_dystrophy_organizations Non-profit_organizations_based_in_Illinois Organizations_based_in_Chicago,_Illinois Organizations_established_in_1950