ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: Is It Too Late to Participate?

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a popular activity involving pouring a bucket of ice over an individual’s head. This is done to raise awareness of the disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (or ALS for short). But how can you participate in this event? Here are some ways those looking to join can participate.

Rules

If nominated, participants are given 24 hours to record themselves. First, they have to announce their acceptance of the challenge. Then, the ice bucket is lifted and poured over the performer. After that, the attendant can further nominate a minimum of 3 to 5 other people to join in too. Participants also have the option to comply or forfeit the challenge and donate money to the ALS Association, although doing both activities is greatly encouraged.

Impact & Awareness

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This activity is viral on social media as thousands of people, celebrities, athletes, and politicians posted clips of themselves online joining in on the global event, which you can easily access on the web from your Clovelle of Woodlands home. Before this challenge, awareness of the disease was moderately limited, with only half of everyday citizens having heard of ALS.

Research & Donations

Because of the massive amounts of charity donations given (over $220 million by more than 17 million citizens worldwide and still counting), the ALS Association announced that the University of Massachusetts Medical School has found a third gene causing the disease. Project MinE, a global sequencing organization to find genetic drivers of ALS, accepted $1 million, allowing them to identify the link between the gene NEK1 and ALS, and making scientific efforts to eliminate the disease.

Health Risks & Complications

Dr. Brian O’Neill, who is a physician at the Detroit Medical Center, stated that the event may have negative health effects on certain participants, such as a vagal response which (for example) may lead to unconsciousness in individuals taking blood pressure medications, among a few others.

Why The Ice Bucket is Used for ALS

The ice bucket is likely used to mimic the symptoms of actual ALS, such as numbness, paralysis, and loss of muscle control from the ice-cold water, which is similar to the shocking and deliberate loss of bodily control experienced by real patients with the disease.