还记得电视马拉松大受欢迎的时候吗?美国人会拨打电话，受到像玛丽·泰勒·摩尔或贝蒂·怀特这样的名人的欢迎。在“步行治愈关节炎”和“铃儿响铃快跑”之前，电视募捐活动是我们组织的主要生命线(双关语)，这样我们就可以影响疾病的进程，支持数百万患有关节炎的美国人。最近，我们受到鼓舞，回顾过去，并为那些帮助我们筹集捐款的人和名人举杯。为什么?Mrs. Maisel. The 2019 season of the Emmy-winning series, Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” not only celebrates an iconic chapter in America’s and our organization’s history, but also includes an episode inspired by our rich history of telethons.
While it may be wrapped up in drama (would you expect differently from off-the-cuff Midge?), it’s a nod to how nonprofits supported the people who counted on them – and we’re celebrating that moment with the premiere of season two.
Interesting fact: The first Arthritis Foundation Telethon aired in New York City in 1953 and featured more than 300 celebrities, according to scholar and historian Paul Longmore in his 2016 book, “Telethons.” Those earliest programs featured Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Lucille Ball, Ed Sullivan, Jack Benny and many more superstars.
Here’s a bit more history about the Arthritis Foundation, our telethons and the people who have been with us along the way:
In 2018, the Arthritis Foundation commemorates70 years of serviceto the arthritis community. Seven decades of commitment to those with arthritis and related diseases.
To help us move the needle, the Arthritis Foundation was the leader of nationally-televised Stop Arthritis Telethons, which flourished for many years. These star-studded fundraisers brought together the most famous celebrities of the time – from all branches of entertainment and sports – to call attention to arthritis and appeal for donations.
Over the years, many of the most popular cultural icons of the day added their voices: George Burns, Walt Disney, Eddie Albert, Charleton Heston, Carol Burnett, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, Joan Rivers, Victoria Principal and many more.
从20世纪70年代到90年代初，关节炎基金会电视马拉松是每年一次的活动。奥斯卡影后简·怀曼曾在拉斯维加斯和圣安东尼奥主持过他们在南加州的活动，她自己也曾与关节炎作斗争，并全身心地投入到这项紧迫的事业中。她翻新了电视马拉松，并担任了20多年的主要主持人——与她一起担任节目主持人的还有贝蒂·怀特已故的丈夫艾伦·卢登。地方电视台附属机构有自己的栏目，介绍当地的关节炎患者、专家和支持者。
By 1990, the Arthritis Telethon had spread to almost 100 markets across the U.S., reaching an estimated 40 million viewers. In 1992 alone, we raised more than $20 million.
斯坦福·鲁宾(Stanford Rubin)是关节炎基金会(Arthritis Foundation) 50多年的志愿者，曾任全国委员会主席，他在推动电视马拉松活动方面发挥了重要作用，他在幕后和镜头前都在推广遗产礼物和我们的遗赠计划。他和妻子艾德丽安(Adrienne)是简·怀曼(Jane Wyman)的密友，他代理了怀曼的房产。Earlier this year, Stan made it possible for every gift of $10,000 or more to our Be the One campaign by Dec. 31 to be matched from theJane Wyman Trust– up to $2.4 million.
“We had a lot of good times and moving experiences with the telethons,” Stan recalls. “Back then, they were the primary method of getting the Arthritis Foundation’s name and our cause, as well as information about arthritis, out to the public.”
By the early 1990s, the national telethon had moved to Nashville, anchored by country music stars. But soon after, telethons had run their course. The cost of air-time had become too expensive. Viewing habits had changed, with more channels available to watch. There’s still an occasional local telethon held on the Arthritis Foundation’s behalf, but otherwise they are now a thing of the past.
Arthritis Foundation Telethons raised a ton of publicity about a disease most people didn’t give a second thought about. “They were a significant and inexpensive way of telling the Arthritis Foundation’s story and raising money for research grants,” Stan remembers.
然而，我们今天通过社交媒体或其他方式传播了这个消息，关节炎仍然需要更多的关注。Help us get a grip on it and share your story and dedications.
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