Jerry wows us all and vows all his support
Last modified on 12 Oct 2009 06:46pm
Jerry Lewis has wowed his audiences and vowed his total commitment to lead support for muscular dystrophy in Australia.
In a whirlwind week of special events and media appearances Jerry worked his magic as a legendary entertainer and leading muscular dystrophy advocate, using his compelling combination of humour, charm, passion and determination to forge new friendships, new alliances and new support for muscular dystrophy in Australia.
Throughout the week Jerry was supported by a brilliant line up of leading entertainers and comedians including Peter Berner, David Campbell, Kitty Flanagan, Tom Gleeson, Paul McDermott, Julie Morris, Fiona O’Loughlin, Carl Riseley, Mikey Robins, Leo Sayer and Mark Spano.
Only a day after his arrival Jerry stunned, delighted and energised the Australian muscular dystrophy community by pledging through the national media his total commitment to work with Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia to achieve here what he has achieved in the USA.
“I would love to do here in seven days what I did in 58 years [in the USA] but the point is it has to begin,” Jerry said.
Jerry’s Annual MDA Telethon in the US has raised over US$60 million in each of the last two years, and since its inception in the 1960s has raised US$2.4 billion - that’s with a ‘b’, he says with a big grin.
Jerry announced that he plans to return to Australia in 2011 to stage a muscular dystrophy telethon as extravagant and successful as its US counterpart. He acknowledges this will depend on getting support from Australian television networks, but says he’ll put all his resources into making it happen.
“I have a hunch we’re going to pull it off [here in Australia],” Jerry said.
The week started with a “Special Afternoon with Jerry Lewis” at Star City in Sydney. (Pressure of time meant that Jerry wasn’t able to travel further in Australia on this trip.) Mums, dads, kids and carers were all treated to hours of fun and laughter with the king of comedy showing clips from his favourite movies and shows.
Jerry’s Aussie kids, young and old, were in fits of laughter watching the zany antics of the guy on screen (the younger ones probably for the first time) with the man himself following up with more great jokes and quick repartee.
Keen to talk with everyone in the room and hear stories of their lives and answer the many questions there were about his, Jerry not only recounted amazing tales of his life as a star of stage and screen, but also revealed his deep commitment to muscular dystrophy.
Jerry’s humanity and compassion filled the room with inspiration and much encouragement.
At another three fantastic functions at Star City, Jerry went on to entertain and inspire hundreds of committed muscular dystrophy supporters who came from all around Australia to get ‘up close and personal’ with this remarkable man.
Jerry was supported at the Star City events by marvellous musical performances from Leo Sayer, David Campbell, Mark Spano and Carl Riseley.
TV personalities Jaynie Seal (Channel 9 Weather), Mark Beretta (Channel 7 Sunrise) and Kellie Connolly (Channel 9 Today) kept things moving as accomplished and gracious MCs of the events.
The grand finale to the week was a spectacular show at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre featuring Jerry, his 24 piece orchestra and the royalty of Australian comedy.
A packed house of more than 1200 people was “laughing for life” as Jerry and his Australian co-stars Peter Berner, Kitty Flanagan, Tom Gleeson, Paul McDermott, Julie Morris, Fiona O’Loughlin and Mikey Robins worked their brilliant comic magic.
For all the laughter and all the fun, Jerry was intent on getting a more serious message across.
“If you make people laugh, I have found that they become very available to thinking good stuff,” Jerry had said before the show.
“I’m going to make them aware that they have an enemy [muscular dystrophy] in their midst and I’ve come to do something about it.”
Jerry also had a special message for the muscular dystrophy community of Australia.
“You’ve got to go national and you’ve got to be united if you want to be successful,” he said.
For representatives, members and supporters of MD associations from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory all participating in this wonderful week of events, hearing this from Jerry reinforced their commitment to continue to work together to fulfil the mission of Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia of creating a cohesive, integrated and collaborative Australian MD community.
“We can’t thank Jerry enough for coming all the way here to support us, and we can’t wait to see him back here to head up a TV entertainment extravaganza”, MDF Australia CEO David Jack said.
“We deeply appreciate the great generosity and true friendship Jerry has shown us.
“With new support and awareness already building from Jerry’s time here, we at MDF Australia will do everything possible to ensure the momentum continues.
“I hope we will look back on this week as the beginning of a united and vibrant era for MD in Australia, inspired and supported by a man who has spent almost all his adult life leading the charge to improve the lives of people affected by muscular dystrophy”, David Jack said.
Listed MDF Australia Features
