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Sunday, September 20, 2009

TELETHON ONLINE AUCTION PAYS OFF BIG FOR MDA


An impressive collection of unique and one-of-a-kind specialty items sparked bidder interest, bringing in almost $350,000 through the Telethon Online Auction to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

From Sept. 1 – 15, hundreds of items donated by celebrities, sports figures, MDA sponsors and other friends of the Association were sold in such categories as Celebrity and Sports Memorabilia, Unique Experiences, Travel, Electronics, Kids and Baby Items.

During the 15-day auction, held in conjunction with the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, MDA and celebrities with items in the auction helped spread word of the auction by taking to their Twitter accounts. “Days of Our Lives” star and “Biggest Loser” host Alison Sweeney tweeted daily to her almost 37,000 followers about some of the “Days” items available for bidding, prompting retweets from her friends actress Denise Richards (1.1 million followers) and entertainment news personality Giuliana Rancic (1.3 million followers). “Access Hollywood” host Nancy O’Dell also asked her Twitter and Facebook followers to donate items to the auction, which resulted in multiple children’s packages and celebrity items. “General Hospital” star Brandon Barash also tweeted daily about the auction.

“These celebrities are part of our MDA family,” MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg said. “The fact that they helped promote the auction through Twitter added to the fun and excitement, and helped us reach out to a new audience.”

Items with some of the best final bids included a VIP package to the 2010 Telethon, $10,050; a 2009 FLSTSB Softtail Cross Bones Harley-Davidson motorcycle, $15,050; a 2010 Honda Fit, $13,800; an autographed Roger Staubach and Tom Landry Dallas Cowboys photo, $3,867; tickets to see ventriloquist Terry Fator at The Mirage in Las Vegas and have a meet and greet with him, $2,949; and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) event tickets and meet and greet with WWE Superstars and Divas, $2,525.

Daytime television items were also popular. They included meet and greets with “Days of Our Lives” stars Sweeney (Sami), James Scott (EJ), Galen Gering (Rafe) and Bryan Datillo (Lucas); a VIP package for a tour of the “Days of Our Lives” set with Sweeney, including airfare and hotel; a behind-the-scenes tour of “General Hospital” and lunch with Barash (Johnny Zacchara); a Barash autographed “General Hospital” script with blood from a shooting scene on it; and many more.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

It's not too late to help "Jerry's Kids" (young and old!!). https://secure.mdausa.org/Donate/flashAppeal/1

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