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If you’ve been on Facebook or Twitter anytime in the last week, chances are you’ve probably seen a video of someone doing the “Ice Bucket Challenge” and then challenging others to do the same. While dumping a bucket, or in some cases a garbage can, full of ice water over your head is a great way to cool off from all these high temperatures, the “Ice Bucket Challenge” has become a viral phenomenon. The challenge helps raise awareness for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Those with ALS experience muscle weakness, loss of the use of their arms and legs and difficulty speaking, breathing and swallowing. Researchers are still working to find a cure for ALS.
When nominated by someone to do the challenge, individuals have 24 hours to accept, post a video of themselves dumping a bucket of cold water over their heads, then nominate others. Those who decide not to accept the challenge are asked to make a monetary donation to ALS research or a charity of their choice. One of the greatest things about this challenge (in addition to helping raise funds to help further ALS research) is that it is raising a lot of awareness about the disease.
Whether they decide to accept the challenge or not, many people are taking it upon themselves to make a donation anyways. According to Carrie Munk, who is the spokeswoman for the ALS Association, between July 29th and Aug. 11th the organization has received $1.35 million in donations for ALS research…and that’s in addition to the many donations that are being made to local chapters all around the county. Helping put into perspective just how big of an impact the “Ice Bucket Challenge” has been having, Munk said that during this same time period last year the organization brought in $22,000 in donations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7SzBp4VVrA&w=420&h=315
Joining the viral phenomenon, Mountainside Medical Equipment’s Vice President, Marty Zarnock Jr, accepted the “Ice Bucket Challenge” last night. To see the video of Marty dumping a garbage can of ice water over his head visit our Facebook page!
Let’s keep the phenomenon going and see just how much money can be raised for ALS research!
Sources:
http://www.alsa.org/news/archive/ice-bucket-challenge.html
http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/making-a-difference/striking-out-als-ice-bucket-challenge-brings-flood-donations-n177896
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