Around 5,600 people are diagnosed with ALS every year. ALS is a serious condition that is more than just dumping ice water on your head. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that causes nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord to break down.
There is no known cure for ALS and death is inevitable.
“The medical field doesn’t really pay a lot of attention to it, but it can ruin your life so I think everyone’s trying to help these people that aren’t really appreciated,” said freshman Josie Bedford.
While ALS is not a medical topic commonly talked about, the ice bucket challenge has brought it to the forefront.
All of the videos on your Facebook timeline of people dumping ice water on themselves are all to benefit ALS.
“It’s fun to watch and to do. You can do it easily and cheaply,” French teacher Cheron Tiffany said.
The process is simple, once nominated a person has 24 hours from which they were nominated to dump a bucket of ice water on their head. Afterwards they have the ability to nominate other people to do the challenge as well. If not completed in 24 hours the person is supposed to donate $100 to ALS.
“I just kinda felt relieved that I didn’t have to pay the fine of $100, even though I will be donating anyways,” Bedford said.
As of Sept. 2 ALSA reached $100 million in donations compared to last years total of $25 million.
“I just kind of felt happy that I got to do it and got to be part of this big group thing,” Bedford said.
Whether they are big or small, all donations are accepted, and groups all around have been raising money.
“Our team will donate money on behalf of De Soto High School,” said cross country coach Chris McAfee.
The challenge is not just a thing for ordinary people. Even celebrities have joined in. From Lady Gaga to Bill Gates everyone is joining the cause, including ALS victim Anthony Carbajal.
Even though he’s already losing feeling in his fingers he not only successfully completed the challenge, but he also did it in a hilarious way. After doing the challenge he talks about ALS and his families’ troubles with it, as well as reminding everyone just how serious ALS is.
There are many rumors to why ice water is used for the challenge specifically instead of some other challenge.
“I heard it is to simulate what it feels like to have ALS,” McAfee said.
There are other theories too.
“It’s not about ALS at all it was adapted from a previous ice bucket challenge which is now a part of ALS,” Tiffany said.
Students are encouraged to donate regardless of whether they are nominated or not. The ice bucket challenge was created for the purpose of raising awareness and money for a cause in need.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge circulates DHS
Aneka Zarger, Staff Reporter
September 3, 2014
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Aneka Zarger, Web/Graphic Designer