ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Posted on | August 22, 2014 | No Comments

Why the backlash against the Ice Bucket Challenge?

It amazes me the number of people smugly condemning the #ALSicebucketchallenge, especially when most of them clearly have no understanding of what it is – and certainly can’t be bothered to watch one, or read about them, to get the truth.

It isn’t about “narcissism”, it is a fun gimmick that promotes awareness AND fundraising. ($53 million so far) With that amazing boost in capital, The ALS Association can fund not only research, but offer even more help & support to those affected by the disease. That is awesome. Why in the world would you want to dump your negativity on something so positive?

Also irritating (at least to me) are they people who posted cryptic statuses (“black lace”, “pink” – as in the color of their bra, for breast cancer awareness, or “I like it on the counter”, “I like it near the door” – as in where they leave their purse, for ??? awareness) and figured that was activism, but somehow the viral sensation that has resulted in such generosity is “just self-aggrandizing millennials”. Hogwash. The demographic is much larger than that and the money is coming in. Even if it were just a bunch of selfie-taking kids, who cares – it is still working.

I have friends who have lost, and friends who are losing, loved ones to this awful disease. In their honor I did the challenge – which also involves donating money – and in their honor I ask that you consider doing the same. If ALS is not a cause that speaks to you, make that donation to a charity that does.