<p>“It’s a fantastic campaign and whoever thought of it deserves a medal.”</p>
<p>It’s brilliant. I saw on the news the guy who thought of it died over the weekend in an accident. He started it as a tribute to a friend with ALS. I googled and found this:</p>
<p><a href=“Corey Griffin Dead: ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Fundraiser Dies at 27”>Corey Griffin Dead: ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Fundraiser Dies at 27;
<p>Very sad.</p>
<p>The way I read the news yesterday was that it was the friend of the guy who originated the idea that died in an accident.</p>
<p>If you want a few (or a LOT ) of laughs on ice bucket fails, check these out:</p>
<p><a href=“22 People Who Should Have Definitely Not Taken The Ice Bucket Challenge”>http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/just-donate-the-money</a></p>
<p>I think it’s been a great idea. But I’ll be honest I’m a little tired of the stories, videos etc. - sort of feel like ALS should say, “thanks America for the support through the ice bucket challenge - Friday is the end of the campaign so get your challenges in by Friday!” - and call an end to it. Wouldn’t want it to ackfore and have folks get negative about the champaign.</p>
<p>Abasket…it will run its course soon enough. There have been other challenges like this that have. I think this one is a summer thing. I mean really…who would dump ice water on their heads in the winter?</p>
<p>I did mine today, and apparently it’s amusing enough that it is cracking my FB friends up!</p>
<p>Winter is a LONG time away!!! ;)</p>
<p>You clearly do not live in northern Michigan where it was in the 40s this past week 
</p>
<p>It’s been pretty chilly here in New England also. And the evenings will get even chillier. </p>
<p>Still…I do think this will run it’s course, raise money for a good cause, and that’s that.</p>
<p>I think people should give to causes that are important, to them, and/or others. That are important.</p>
<p>I’m astounded that dumping ice water on themselves facilitates that.</p>
<p>And I won’t be doing so. I think for a lot of people, it’s an end in itself. Hey–look at meeee! And for others it might get them to give when they otherwise won’t. Which is weird.</p>
<p>I am really enjoying the viral videos.
So much more fun than watching kitten & puppy videos from 8 or9 years ago making the rounds.
Sure there are other diseases which may perhaps be more virulent, but I dont see how this is taking any money or attention away from them.
On the contrary, I think it is inspirational for their supporters to get their own awareness campaign going.</p>
<p>My sister has been living with ALS for 10 years- so we’ve seen how hard it is to raise awareness and funds for research for this horrible disease. The local fundraiser takes place in September - the Walk4Life in Chicago. I imagine the viral challenge will run its course, but it’s been phenomenal for families living with ALS to see this increase in funding for research and to feel hopeful that we will be closer to a cure. </p>
<p>I’m thrilled that ALS is getting both attention and money, but this particular challenge is just odd and off-putting to me. I had one friend post on FB that he wants someone to challenge him – I mean, if you want to do it, just give the money and/or get wet, why wait for someone else to challenge you? I agree that this is too much like a chain letter. I’m hoping that no one challenges me, because I don’t want a bucket of ice water on my head, and there are charities and nonprofits that are more dear to my heart than this one – I don’t want to be publicly forced or humiliated into giving money.</p>
<p>OTOH, it is fascinating to watch the impact of social media and video on this. </p>
<p>Again, if you don’t know someone with ALS, it’s very possible that it’s a condition that you don’t know much about. Personally, it’s definitely not on my radar when giving money because it’s simply not something that is in my day to day life. I don’t know anyone with ALS (at least, no one who has told me about it). </p>
<p>I get lots of requests for money, either directly or indirectly, through my newsfeed every day. “Please donate to THIS cause or THAT cause” and it is easy to just glaze by. When you’re directly challenged to do something, it makes you sit up and take note. </p>
<p>This has produced real, tangible results. Anything that does that is a win in my book. </p>
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<p>I guess I don’t understand why this is weird. There are LOTS of things that trigger us to give to something we might not normally think to give to. </p>
<p>You know…if you don’t want to do the ice bucket challenge or contribute to the ALS cause, just don’t do it. Really, no one will give two hoots.</p>
<p>But I can’t see why there is a need to criticize this initiative which is raising money for a worthy cause. And you know…it’s fun for some of us.</p>
<p>If it’s not fun for you…don’t bother with it.</p>
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<p>I can say with certainty that one family friend who is a prominent athlete has donated a very large amount, as have many of his teammates. :)</p>
<p>I think it’s an absolutely wonderfully successful result with much-needed funds going to a cause that the majority of people know nothing about. ALS is a horrible, horrible disease. I have know two people with it and I cannot think of a worse diagnosis to receive. I’m happy that this campaign will provide assistance for families of ALS patients and also money towards research.</p>
<p>It’s a fun challenge and, like Thumper, I don’t get why some have the need to criticize. For another feel-good story about this horrible disease, google Chris Rosati, a brave man from NC who is an inspiration.</p>
<p>Stone Gossard ( local musician) donated $5,000.
Problem is, he was still holding the check when the cooler of ice was dumped over him!</p>
<p>Like someone said upthread, I wish they would put an end date to it; AND, I’ve seen people give to other causes than ALS. I’ve heard of people being nominated more than once, which can be annoying.</p>
<p>That being said, ALS is a horrible, horrible disease. But after working in hospice for eight years, I’d say Huntington’s Disease is #1 on my list of diseases I’d never wish to get - because if you’re an adult with Huntington’s and have children, they have a 50% chance of getting the gene. Getting the gene means you definitely get the disease at some point in your life. Outside of the cases I knew from hospice, we know a family where the father died of Huntington’s within the last two years. Of course, he didn’t know he had it until after he had children. His oldest daughter chose to get genetic testing at age 18, and she knows she has the gene (she’s now in her upper 20s). The younger daughter (I think) chose not to get tested yet; she is 25. They had to watch their father deteriorate over many years before he finally died as a consequence of choking on food. And his wife is a nurse and had the knowledge and skill set to care for him. I contribute to the walk they do every year.</p>
<p>Every time I get renominated, I do a small donation to something in honor of the person who nominated me. For example, my young cousin nominated me today and I will donate to a Juvenile Diabetes fund as she is battling that disease. </p>
<p>My kid announced that he’s been nominated and is ice bucketing tomorrow. He is pretty poor so I guess I will be making a donation as well. Otherwise he’d just come ask me for money to donate :P</p>
<p>I know someone with ALS and have several close friends who lost loved ones to it. It is a horrible thing.</p>
<p>I lost a sibling to ALS. </p>
<p>I am for anything that raises awareness and research money for ALS.</p>