ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Takes the Nation by a Landslide
While there are always passing trends on social media such as Facebook and Instagram, most of them don’t have a real purpose or goal. Social media’s latest trend is the ALS Ice Bucket challenge. The goal is to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, a disease that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, and eventually weakens muscles to a point where the diseased person is not able to move on their own accord.
In the Ice Bucket Challenge a person is “nominated” to dump a bucket of ice water on their head, and then they can nominate their friends to do the same. If the nominated person fails to complete the challenge in 24 hours (or even if they do), he or she is encouraged to donate to the ALS Association in order to raise money for research for a cure. However, although the goal of this challenge is to raise awareness about this incurable disease, it would appear that some are doing it with no awareness of the cause.
“I had to do some research [on ALS] but I think I could explain it to someone now,” sophomore Nakiri Gallagher-Cave said. Gallagher-Cave also said that before she researched ALS, she may have been able to say a sentence or two on the subject, but wouldn’t have been able to tell anyone much about the disease.
Although maybe many people are not too knowledgeable about ALS, the Ice Bucket Challenge has certainly become huge on social media. This challenge has not only taken over the state or the country; it has become a fairly worldwide phenomenon. People from all over the world – so far the countries I have seen are Brazil, Bermuda, Columbia, France and Spain – are participating in raising awareness through the Ice
Bucket Challenge. It is also not just something teens are participating in. When talking to my grandmother on the phone the other day, she mentioned that someone who she plays Mah-Jong with had nominated her. Celebrities have also taken their turns – Ty Burrell, Mary Murphy, and Bill Gates are just a few who have participated.
Through donations, the ALS Association has raised 79.2 million dollars and counting. Not only does this challenge raise awareness, but also each dollar donated brings us one step closer for being able to find a cure. In the past, ALS has been a disease that has been overshadowed by cancer and heart disease, at least in the fundraising department, but with the ice bucket challenge, that is changing fast.
A few months ago, had I been asked what ALS was, I would’ve known that I had heard of it, but I wouldn’t have been able to tell anyone a single thing about it. The bucket challenge has the affect on me that was hoped for by the ALS Association; I now know what the disease is, and am aware of the effect it has on thousands of people today. So when nominated, I challenge you to actually think of why you are pouring ice water over your head, and have awareness for ALS.
If you would like to donate to the ALS Association, here is the link: https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/Donation2;jsessionid=8C1C08A86BEFDB149291C56D7BD14614.app212b?df_id=27420&27420.donation=form1
Video Links:
http://qpolitical.com/ice-bucket-challenge-end-like-rest-gotta-see/
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=275676749289835&set=vb.100005425364666&type=2&theater
https://www.facebook.com/SoYouThinkYouCanDance
Olivia Oksenhorn is a senior at Aspen High School and Co Editor-in-Chief for the Aspen Skier Scribbler. This is Olivia's fourth year writing for the newspaper,...
Meyer Odette ~ Aug 10, 2024 at 2:31 am
Last year, my 68-year-old partner was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease also known as ALS. Speaking and swallowing were two of his challenges. His collapse was swift and catastrophic, and neither the riluzole nor the medical staff did much to aid him. He would not have survived if our primary care physician hadn’t given him attentive care and attention, as the hospital center didn’t provide any psychological support. His fall was abrupt and catastrophic. His hands and legs gave way to weakness in his arms. This year our family physician suggested using vinehealthcentre. com ALS/MND treatment, which my husband has been receiving for a few months now. I’m delighted to say that the treatment greatly reduced and reversed his symptoms of ALS, he no longer requires a feeding tube, sleeps soundly, works out frequently, and is now very active. In the hopes that it could be useful, I thought I would relate my husband’s tale; in the end, you have to do what suits you the best.
Mrs Patricia Whittle ~ Sep 13, 2022 at 9:03 am
My mum is 83 and had great difficulty speaking and swallowing much of anything. Food was getting trapped in her throat and blocking her air way was happening more often. she battled for each breath. The riluzole did very little to help her. The medical team did even less. Her decline was rapid and devastating. The psychological support from the medical centre was non-existent and if it were not for the sensitive care and attention of our primary physician, there she would have died. There has been little if any progress in finding a cure or reliable treatment. Acupuncture eased her anxiety a bit. we taught she gonna lose the battle, we all did lose faith, but today she is very healthy after using treatment from Health Herbs Clinic, this tincture was sent to us by a friend of mine who also has A dying diagnosed (PLS) she explained how this Treatment works and reversed her PLS. I was so desperate to try, Today am so happy my mom is back to her feet and It has been a complete turnaround with her speech, she no longer needs the feeding tube to feed, the treatment is a miracle. She recovered significantly
Thato amelia ~ Feb 20, 2022 at 5:47 am
My first symptoms of ALS occurred in 2014, but was diagnosed in 2016. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn’t walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatigue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Tree of Life Health clinic. It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit w w w. treeoflifeherbalclinic .com ). I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others. ]
Ricky Ankley ~ Dec 18, 2021 at 7:35 pm
i was diagnosed of Bulbar ALS. After years on medications, symptoms worsened with tremors on my right hand, Fortunately last year, I learnt about Kycuyu Health Clinic (ww w. kycuyuhealthclinic. c om) and their effective ALS Formula treatment through an ALS support group on facebook the Lou Gehrig’s disease treatment made a great difference, most of my symptoms including balance, weakness, falling alot and others gradually disappeared. I improved greatly over the 4 months treatment, its been a year since the treatment, i have no symptoms. I have a very good quality of life and a great family!