I have to process things and because of that spontaneity doesn't come easily (yes, 24 hours notice is still spontaneity in my world). Learning a bit more about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge I learned more about the challenge, people's reactions to the challenge and about ALS itself.
- Once you are nominated you have to participate by either donating or dumping ice over your head within 24 hours (does that mean from the time the person that nominated you completes the challenge or from the time that you learn you've been nominated?).
- The water must be ½ ice ½ water. Not water alone (I get it).
- In one continuous video you mention what you are doing, who you are donating to, who nominated you and who you will nominate (in my nervousness I only said ice bucket challenge not ALS ice bucket challenge. Oops but I did mention ALS at the end so am I redeemed?).
- You are to nominate 3 people (I only nominated 2 people - Adrianna Haddad and Tamsen Keyes. Mostly because I know how much I hate having something thrown at me that I'm not very comfortable with).
- You must post the video to a social media site (really really don't want a video of me on a social media site but fine I'll do it for the promotion of awareness).
Why? It wasn't hard to make the decision to participate due to family experience with ALS (it always seems easier when there is a personal connection). One of my grandfathers was diagnosed with ALS but at the time was known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. I was young but I do remember visiting him and seeing what this horrible disease did to him - eventually taking his life.
Will I donate? No. I think this is a personal matter we all face when it comes to the many charities in our midst. I'm all for promoting awareness for a number of charities but won't necessarily donate. I've been diagnosed with cancer twice and this past winter was diagnosed with a hereditary gene mutation that puts me in a MUCH higher risk of getting more cancers (has included processing, worrying and the needed screenings for the remainder of my life). For obvious reasons cancer is my main choice of charity. For my future and my families future. I won't judge you for your choice so I expect the same respect.
Really a bucket of ice water? It seems in our judgementing world where ever there is a positive there is bound to be a negative and this is no exception. However, I wonder why? I mean really! Look around us and at all the charities. There is always something that stands out to help promote awareness......shaving heads, walking, dancing, growing moustaches, adopting pets, food, bracelets, chocolate bars, running, adopting an orphan, bike rides and the list goes on. Sure there are some people out there that think this particular challenge is just about following the crowd and joining in on the mass media but I like to look at it as a fun way to promote awareness to something that is very debilitating and few know about. Clearly it's working. Look at the amount of money this year alone this charity has managed to raise and how many of you knew nothing about ALS but now do.
In the end, if me dumping a bucket of ice water on my head does nothing but make the reader aware of the disease is that not better than nothing at all? Honestly, I hadn't thought of ALS for a long time. Until the ice bucket challenge. So why not?
I look forward to seeing my nominees videos Tamsen Keyes and Adrianna Haddad!
http://www.als.ca/en
