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MDA Labor Day Telethon Coming To An End

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, a Labor Day television tradition for decades, is ending.

The association said the decision is due to "the new realities" of TV viewing and charitable giving.

"Today, we reflect on this remarkable history and our mission as we again change and move forward. Specifically, we have announced we no longer will produce and broadcast the MDA Labor Day weekend telethon, our Show of Strength. And while many people may not know the telethon or have watched it in recent years, we want our longtime, loyal telethon supporters to know this is a decision we do not take lightly," said MDA President and CEO Steven M. Derks.

Celebrities from Frank Sinatra, John Lennon and Michael Jackson to Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez have performed on the telethon -- hosted for most of its run by Jerry Lewis.

It ran 21 and a half hours in 2010, Lewis' last year as host, and had dwindled to a two-hour show the last two years.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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