Despite a tough economy, officials with the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon say contributions and pledges from this year’s 44th annual Labor Day event totaled nearly $60.5 million.

The donations will allow the Tucson-based Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) — of which the legendary funnyman is chairman — to continue funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

Bauer-Griffin