A Chilling Challenge for A Warm-Hearted Cause

By: Raven Winstead-Goins, contributing intern

Social Media has brought so much awareness about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) through a bucket, ice, and water. The “Ice Bucket Challenge” is an ingenious effort to raise funds and consciousness about the disease also known as “Lou Gehrig’s disease”. ALS is a progressive neurodenegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord causing muscle weakness, immobility of limbs and difficulty speaking, breathing and swallowing; affecting 1% of the population.

The Challenge originated from an ALS victim who was a former Boston College baseball player, Pete Frates. Frates, who was diagnosed in 2012, is overall paralyzed and he posted the challenge video and it went viral. Frates endured buckets of ice water dumped on him, then nominating others to take the thrust and to continue the cycle within 24 hours. If the challenged is not accepted and executed within the 24 hrs., they are then asked to donate to ALS research.

Many celebrities have accepted the challenge and donated. It has been very amusing to watch certain celebrities endure the cold waters, but also know that they are donating toward research that will one day change someone’s life. Celebrities include: The Kennedy Family, Kevin Hart, Justin Timberlake, Martha Stewart, Scandal Star Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey and her BFF Gayle King, Tyler Perry, Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick, Carolina Panther players, staff, and General Manager Dave Gettleman; Miami Heat Dwayne Wade and fiancé Gabrielle Union and more. Oprah’s video has been one of the most entertaining as you can image how cold the water was by her reaction as well as the dozens of ice cubes surrounding her.

Watch:

We expect to see more celebs in the next few days/weeks post videos. President Obama and FLOTUS have been challenged multiple times, but specifically Ethel Kennedy, the oldest living member of the family. “The President appreciates Mrs. Kennedy thinking of him for the challenge – though his contribution to this effort will be monetary,” the White House told the Boston Globe. “The President will be making a donation to an ALS charity this week.”

While it would have been hilarious to watch our smooth President have that bucket of water flushed over his head, he contributed to the purpose of the challenge which is to raise money for research for a cure to ALS. There is one drug approved by the USDA to treat ALS, but it only extends survival by two or three months, according to the ALS Association. Those with ALS live an average of 2 to 5 years after diagnosis. Want to get involved or donate, learn more information by visiting als.org.

Photo Credit: ALS.org