Thousands of people from across the world are pouring ice water on themselves for a good cause.
People are offered a challenge to dump ice water on themselves to promote awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, donate money to the ALS charity, or even do both.
It is a social phenomenon with people shooting videos of themselves participating in the challenge and contributing a minimum of $5 to the charity; at the same time, they also challenge others to do it as well, or donate $100 to charity.
The Ice Bucket challenge received three million donors and over $115 million was raised so far, according to alsa.org.
Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the illness affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons are sent from the brain to the spinal cord, and from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body. When these motor neurons degenerate and die, the brain’s signal to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With motor skills lost, patients may be left paralyzed.
Currently, there is only one drug to extend survival by two or three months before the disease kills.
ALS has struck a personal note for Bailey Wells (11) whose grandfather is afflicted with the disease.
“ALS is a serious disease that renders people unable to talk properly, walk on their own, go to the bathroom, or eat on their own. It leaves them in a crippled state that I cannot imagine living that way for the rest of my life, as a vegetable unable to care for myself,” Wells said. “It’s depressing enough to know how bad it is.”
Wells understands too easily how ALS affects family members.
“My grandfather, who has ALS is going through this problem right now. He can’t do simple things like use the steering wheel for his car to go to work. He’s losing the ability to speak simple sentences or even a single word,” said Wells. “It was devastating for my grandmother, but even more devastating for my mother. She worries so much about him everyday.”
ALS donations have been underfunded in the past few years compared to charities such as heart disease or cancer. Researchers haven’t found a cure or an improved treatment for ALS.
Ice Bucket challenge origins are still unclear but many celebrities such as Oprah, Lebron James, and former President George Bush have taken part in the ice bucket challenge, as well as dozens of Rams.
Some have questioned the sincerity behind the Ice Bucket Challenge, and if those who participate even know much about the disease.
“It spreads awareness of ALS,” said David Wetherill (10), who said that he took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge, but still admits that “I feel like it has to do with peer pressure.”
“For those who think that the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a dumb fad that doesn’t really have an effect on anything, think before you act, because I guarantee if you had this or someone you love had this disease, you would do the challenge regardless, out of respect of others,” said Wells.
For more information on ALS or donating, visit www.alsa.org