Luke Christie – MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Luke Christie, a 14-year-old from Due West, S.C., and his family will be featured in a videotaped profile and live interview on the nationwide broadcast of the Telethon. Luke, MDA’s 2006 and 2007 national goodwill ambassador, has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a progressive motor neuron disease that causes weakness in the arms, legs and torso. He and his family have traveled the country representing the Association and the people it serves. A ninth grader at Dixie High School in Due West, Luke enjoys reading, writing and Boy Scouts, and is interested in becoming (among other things) a reporter. His two older brothers, Parker and Spencer, are not affected by SMA.

Tina Forbes – The 2006 recipient of the Houston Gulf Coast MDA Personal Achievement Award, Tina Forbes of Houston, will be profiled and interviewed on the national broadcast of the Telethon. In 1997, Forbes received a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, a disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s tissues, affecting the eyes, face, neck and limbs. Forbes, now 62, is actively involved in MDA fund-raisers such as Stride & Ride and Lock-Ups, and has spoken at kickoffs for the International Association of Fire Fighters. She has two adult daughters, Crystal Forbes and April Chretien; a son-in-law, Carl Chretien; and a granddaughter, Ariana.

Joshua France – Joshua France, 9, of Graham, Wash., will be the subject of a videotaped profile on the national Telethon broadcast. Joshua has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disease that causes generalized weakness and muscle wasting, first affecting the muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders, and eventually the heart and breathing muscles. He uses a power wheelchair for mobility. An avid power soccer player, Joshua also enjoys reading, watching football with his dad and playing video games. The family is active in MDA activities such as summer camp and has spoken at numerous fund-raising events, including the Second Annual Breakfast of Champions and the Washington State Firefighters Convention. Joshua has three siblings: an older sister, Raye; a younger sister Emilee; and a younger brother Samuel, who also has DMD.

Calvin Ray Johnson – Country singer Calvin Ray Johnson, 27, of Mount Washington, Ky., is scheduled to make his fourth appearance on the national broadcast of the Telethon. Johnson, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and uses a manual wheelchair, is an accomplished singer, artist and businessman. In May, he signed on as a recording artist with BSW Records. His first single, “Should’ve Been Singing Rock of Ages,” hit the airwaves June 11, followed two weeks later by the worldwide release of his debut CD, “Take That Chance.” When not on the road, he performs regularly with his Blue Moon Highway Band at Calvin Ray’s Live Music Theater, his own restaurant and country music theater in Leitchfield.  Johnson, who has performed in Nashville, appeared on the 2001, 2003 and 2006 national broadcasts of the Telethon, singing a memorable duet with Kermit the Frog in 2001.

Augie and Lynne Nieto – Augie and Lynne Nieto, of Corona del Mar, Calif., are co-chairpersons of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s ALS Division. Augie, 49, received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in March 2005. The co-founder and former president of Life Fitness, and the current chairman of Octane Fitness, he recently completed a book, Augie’s Quest: One Man’s Journey from Success to Significance, about his experiences with ALS.  As co-chairs of MDA’s ALS Division, the Nietos help raise awareness of ALS through public appearances, speaking engagements, media interviews and public service announcements. Augie also serves MDA as a national vice president. The Nietos spearhead MDA’s Augie’s Quest research initiative, which so far has raised more than $10 million to benefit the ALS Division’s “fast-track”research program.

Jacob Richard – A former goodwill ambassador for MDA’s Houston/Gulf Coast chapter, 10-year-old Jacob Richard of Sugar Land, Texas, will be the subject of a videotaped profile on the national Telethon broadcast, and also will be interviewed live on the show with his family. Jacob has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. A fourth-grader at St. Laurence Catholic School, Jacob uses a manual wheelchair part time for mobility. He and his family attend various events to speak on behalf of the Association. Jacob’s many interests include reading, singing, swimming, computer games and listening to music. He has two older brothers, Andrew and Philip.

Makenna Sewell – Makenna Sewell, 11, of Forest Grove, Ore., will be featured on the national broadcast of the Telethon, appearing with her family. Composed and confident beyond her years, Makenna attends various MDA events with her family, speaking on behalf of the Association. She’s participated in Lock-Ups, Fill-the-Boot and Stride & Ride fund-raising campaigns, and Shamrock luncheons. Makenna, who enjoys writing and art, has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease that causes weakness in the muscles closest to the center of the body, such as the shoulders, hips, thighs and upper back. Respiratory muscles can be affected and spinal curvature is common. Makenna uses a power scooter for mobility. Her younger brother, Grayson, doesn’t have SMA.

Scott Stafne –Scott Stafne of Minneapolis, Minn., will be the subject of a videotaped profile and will appear live on the national broadcast of the Telethon. He and his family will discuss the daily challenges of living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease), a progressive disease of the motor neurons that affects all voluntary muscles, eventually resulting in complete paralysis. Using a power wheelchair for mobility, Stafne, 35, still is able to enjoy outdoor activities with his wife, Kirsten, and daughter, Eva. His interests include music, movies, documentaries and cinematography, and he attends MDA support groups and fund-raising events such as Lock-Ups and the Black & Blue Ball.

Abbey Umali – Now in her second year as MDA goodwill ambassador for California, Abbey Umali, 8, of Redlands, Calif., has Dejerine-Sottas disease, a neurological disorder characterized by muscle wasting, lack of coordination and some loss of sensation in upper and lower extremities. She’s ambulatory with braces. Umali attends various events with her family to speak on behalf of the Association. She’s a third-grader who loves swimming, singing and playing the piano. This will be the family’s second consecutive live appearance on the national Telethon.

Bradley Walker – Country music singer Bradley Walker, 29, of Athens, Ala. will perform live on the national broadcast of the Telethon. Walker is riding a wave of acclaim after the release in September of his debut album, “Highway of Dreams,” which showcases his distinctive blend of traditional country and bluegrass. He recently received two nominations from the International Bluegrass Music Association - one for Emerging Artist and one for Male Vocalist. Walker has nemaline myopathy, a metabolic muscle disease that causes weakness and poor tone in the muscles of the face, neck, upper limbs and, often, the respiratory muscles. He uses a power wheelchair for mobility. Hailed as the “next great voice of bluegrass music” by Bluegrass Unlimited magazine in September 2005, Walker performed with the Oak Ridge Boys on the national Telethon on 1989, and was on the show again in 2001 and 2002.