Monday, Sep. 01, 2008

Locals to appear on telethon

Two Chapin siblings and a Columbia man will share their stories about life with muscular dystrophy before a national television audience today.

Nine-year-old twins Brett and Jacob Rhoad, of Chapin, and 32-year-old Elron Davis of Columbia will all appear on the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, which airs locally on WOLO Channel 25 in Columbia.

The three will be featured in videotaped profiles during the telethon, which began Sunday evening and runs through 6 p.m. today.

Brett and Jacob will be featured along with their parents, Dan and Julie Rhoad, who will discuss the challenges of living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The twins, who wear leg braces to help maintain their mobility, also will discuss their involvement with the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s programs.

Davis will share the daily challenges of living with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and also will talk about his involvement with MDA’s programs.

MDA works to combat more than 40 related diseases through its worldwide research and nationwide service programs.

This year’s telethon is being broadcast from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas.

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Girl Scouts of South Carolina, Mountains to Midlands, is seeking nominations for its 16th-Annual Women of Distinction Award.

The award honors women who have been extraordinary leaders, mentors and role models for today’s youths or have been great public servants in the Midlands.

This year’s honorees will be recognized during a dinner in April next year.

Through the years, Girl Scouts has given the award to more than 70 Midlands women representing various backgrounds.

The nomination deadline is Sept. 15, and nominees are not limited to former Girl Scouts. To receive an application, call Katie Boling at (803) 461-3748 or e-mail her at kboling@gssc-mm.org.