MDA telethon collects nearly $55 million

The Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon has appeared on TV every Labor Day weekend since 1966.

Donations are still being collected, but as of Monday morning, the telethon had taken in nearly $55 million.

The money will support the MDA’s mission of helping people affected by muscle diseases.

This year was the first time it had ever been broadcast across the U.S. on a single TV network, and that network was ABC.

ABC 10 aired the two-hour MDA Show of Strength Telethon Sunday night.

It featured appearances by music-related celebrities like Ryan Seacrest, Paula Abdul, Darius Rucker, the Backstreet Boys and Luke Bryan, among others.