BOSTON -- For the 34th consecutive year, WCVB-TV/DT Channel 5 will broadcast the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Stars of stage and screen will join forces beginning Sunday, Aug. 31 at 9 p.m. to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

A timeless tradition each Labor Day, stars around the country come together to raise money and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Chronicle anchor Anthony Everett will join NewsCenter 5 anchor Liz Brunner to co-host the event locally, and NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill and David Brown will be live in WCVB’s Needham studios on Monday.

WCVB will broadcast a series of reports in newscasts prior to the telethon, profiling local families afflicted with MD and programs in search of a cure.

The Jerry Lewis Telethon is the most important fundraising event of the year for the MDA. Any funds raised help MDA fight more than 40 forms of muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

In 2007, the MDA Telethon was watched by more than 40 million viewers in North America.

At WCVB, Anne Marie Charland is the local producer for the telethon. Karen Holmes Ward is Director of Public Affairs and Community Services for Channel 5.

MDA Telethon Schedule

Sunday, Aug. 31 -- Coverage begins at 9 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 31 -- Late local news 11-11:35 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 31 -- Telethon resumes 11:35 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 1 -- Telethon concludes 6 p.m.