Local MDA telethon raises $306,618

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Each donation was put down on paper and tallied up for a grand total: $306,618 raised for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Organizers said that is $10,000 more than was raised last year's local Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

The credit is being given to the community of Greater Lafayette.

"Every year they seem to blow us out of the water and surprise us year after year," MDA Fundraiser Coordinator Rheanna Pramuk said.

The poor economy had Pramuk concerned people may not be as willing or able to donate.

"It can be a little nerve-wracking because we don't know how it's going to turn out," Pramuk said.

But the calls continued to come in, one after one, until the donations surpassed 2009's total. It was a labor of love during the Labor Day weekend, and there will be little rest now as preparations for next year begin immediately.

"It probably starts the day after this Labor Day telethon," Premuk said.

But everyone involved is taking a moment to savor this year's accomplishment.

"We're very proud of the results and I just can't be more appreciative of people in the community," she said.

News Channel 18's Jeff Smith, Niccole Caan, Joe LePage, and Laura Kirtley emceed the local cut-ins during of the 45th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. MDA raises money to fight more than 40 types of muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular diseases.