You’ve probably seen it at least once. A video of someone getting a bucket of ice or water dumped over them. What is this ice bucket challenge and why are people doing it?
It’s called the ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE. ALS stands for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The official website describes ALS as, “a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body.”
Currently, there is only one drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ALS, which only modestly extends survival by two to three months. Consequently, ALS is 100 percent fatal. In addition to acclimating to the challenges that come with losing control of voluntary muscle movement, people with the disease progressively lose their ability to eat, speak, walk, and eventually breathe.
How the challenge typically works is a participant dumps a bucket of ice or ice cold water over their head and donates money to ALS. If you accept the challenge the suggested donation is $10. If you opt out of dumped ice water over your head the suggested donation is $100. Obviously it’s up to each individual whether they take the challenge and donate or not. Those who accept the challenge are then asked to nominate three friends to do the same. ALS.org reports, “As of Monday, August 18, The ALS Association has received $15.6 million in donations compared to $1.8 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 18).”
Of course, there are going to be people complaining about the videos. If you’re on Facebook or twitter you’ve likely seen people say things like “we’re in a drought” and “stop wasting water” as a response to the videos. I’m fairly certain people are being far more wasteful than dumping a bucket of ice water over their heads and creating awareness for a good cause. Instead of bitching about the videos and people “making it all about themselves” educate others on what it’s about and why it’s worthwhile. Even if you don’t participate it’s part of a great good and there’s nothing wrong with sharing positivity.
Before you complain about raising awareness for ALS watch this video of Steve Saling who suffers from ALS.
Here’s an on-going collection of some Fitness Stars who have taken the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. See more on youtube and use #icebucketChallenge throughout your social media to help raise awareness for this devastating disease. You can donate here.
Jennie Finch, Olympic Gold Medalist
Ronda Rousey, UFC Champion
Gabrielle Reece, Pro Volleyball Player
Celeste Bonin, Former WWE Champ aka Kaitlyn
Dana Linn Bailey, Women’s Physique Olympia Showdown Winner
Nicole Wilkins, 3x Figure Olympia Champion
Candice Keene, 2x Arnold Figure Champion
Jen Hendershott, Arnold & Olympia Fitness Champ
Jamie Eason Middleton, Cover Model / Fitness Spokesmodel
Whitney Jones, Fitness Olympia Competitor
Candice Lewis-Carter, Figure Champ and her husband
Valerie Haines, Figure Pro
About The ALS Association
The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about The ALS Association, visit our website at www.alsa.org.
