The Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS

Unless you just crawled out from under a rock you have probably already heard of the Ice Bucket Challenge. The challenge is simple: People make a video of themselves dumping a bucket of ice water on their heads, post it on Facebook, Instagram or other social media sites, and then challenge friends to do the same within 24 hours or donate $100 to ALS. (Many do both.)

 It began with Pete Frates, a 29-year-old former college baseball player, who has been battling ALS since 2011. Pete who can no longer speak or move his arms and legs, first posted his challenge to friends on Facebook in late July. The challenge spread quickly through Boston circles, then across the web until last week when a parade of celebrities, athletes and corporate executives began to join in: Bill Gates, Lebron James, Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Swift, Kobe Bryant, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey and even Ethel Kennedy to name a few. The challenge is taking social media by storm with over 1 million videos posted on Facebook and over 2 million tweets on Twitter. More importantly, the Ice Bucket Challenge is making real change. It has brought much-needed awareness to ALS and has raised over $14 million in the last 2 ½ weeks (compared to $1.3 million raised over the same period last year.)

My daughters, nieces (Kelsey, Allison, Michelle, Katie, Holly and Kelly)… and Jonny (Kelsey’s boyfriend) decided to join in, making a statement of support for this old man. I, at first, was going to join them. It would have been fun. But, after thinking about it for a while, I realized that Kathy would then have to lift, move my body, arms and legs to disrobe, dry then change me into new dry clothes. It was too much to ask.

The participants have all been soaked with buckets of ice and water. The challenges have been made. The first responses are beginning to come in. Christina, a coworker back in Fontana, and her husband Maru have joined in. They saw the girl‘s video post on Facebook and have started their own challenge in support.

As I view these videos, I am surprised at how much it impacts me. How such a simple stunt can warm the heart and brighten the soul. Each post is an action greeting card… a I’m there with you, supporting you gesture. It brings a smile and a whispered “Thank You.” You’ve joined me for a day, to walk with me, on this journey with ALS.

On behalf of all those afflicted by this terrible disease, a much heartfelt appreciation and thank you to all who participate!

Won’t you join in?