The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Please bear with me for this is a long post.

But if you’re free, do take the time to read it k!

(Researched more than I expected to do so I’m sharing it)

Firstly, I wouldn't have made the effort to actually read up on ALS or this campaign, so thank you Charlene for nominating me for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I won't be nominating anyone but whoever wants to join the cause in spreading awareness for ALS and to give moral support to the ALS patient can just do it. Donate if you are capable, otherwise just spreading the awareness will do good too!

Actually, I previously knew about the ALS disease from a series “Suits” – if you’re a fan, rewatch Season 1 Episode 4. (I’m sure most of my course mates watch this!) Anyway, I didn't want to do the challenge blindly so I did some extra reading on ALS and also on the campaign.

So here's a few things you should know: 

1) ALS is Lou Gehrig's Disease. Motor neurons degenerates and leads to body paralysis and people eventually die from it. The ice bucket of water is supposed to make you feel what the ALS patients feel i.e. tensed muscle to cause momentary immobility. What if it was permanent and you'll just one day die from being paralysed? How scary is that?

2) A 'whoa' finding: Did you know that ALSA's research involve using embryonic stem-cells (stem-cells from spinal cord of aborted foetuses)?! (Note: They claim to have move towards using adult and iPS cells now due to the ethical issues). Frankly speaking, this information made me feel rather conflicted because I support pro-life/ anti-abortion. I also feel that my catholic faith is being challenged here (the Church clearly prohibits abortion [Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2270-2275] BUT it's ok, there are alternative centres which conduct adult and non-embryonic stem-cells research and clinical trial for ALS patients. So I'm still going to donate for the ALS cause (just not to alsa.org)

Donations to alternatives centres:

Mayo Clinic

-you may specify the donation to go to ALS Clinical Trial-
John Paul II Medical Research Institute

-donations specifically directed towards finding the ALS cure will be used for that cause-

Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Centre (MSCTC)

-click on 'make a gift' on the left column-

Btw, I'm donating to Mayo Clinic to support its ongoing and next clinical trials for ALS patients. Seem to have positive results! :)

3) Donations to alsa.org supports the research for the ALS cure but even ALSA claims that only 27-28% of its funds go into the research. Most of the funds are used to pay salaries of people working at the ALSA. So think before you donate. Is your money really going to where it was suppose to go? Consider looking at the organisation's financial report and tax pay returns to help you make an informed decision.

4) There are non-drug alternatives for ALS treatment. Coconut oil, Deanna Protocol (nutritional protocol) and other natural approaches have shown favourable results with ALS disease. I think this information also need awareness spreading. Don't you?! 

5) So there’s been a lot of hate going on for this challenge due to people misusing it. Some criticism are warranted (e.g. doing the challenge for fame) but many others are not (e.g. wasting water or that it does not ACTUALLY help the ALS patient). Honestly, I felt a little agitated because people seem to be able to find fault with EVERYTHING and make a big deal out of it.

Some said “If you rly wanna care, don’t even bother to do the challenge and just donate.” Well sureeeee, cause money is all that matters right? =__=

You see, if you just donate silently, how is the awareness going to spread? The whole trending #ALS #icebucketchallenge going viral on social medias is what intrigues people to read up on it! But let’s say if one donates silently and shares abt it, surely someone will ‘rise to the occasion’ to criticise that too with “show off” or “snob” or whatever else they can come up with.

And for those who condemn the ice bucket challenge because certain persons abused the campaign, here’s what I have to say: “Do not blame the ‘instrument’. Blame the people who abuse it.” If you really want to criticise, at least point it in the right direction.

Also, I really disagree with the people who said that the ice bucket challenge does not in fact help the ALS patients. Because it does. Doing the challenge is for a cause and it help lift the patients’ spirits in knowing that the fight against the disease they have is being advocated to the world (it’s like shaving your head to show support for cancer patients – so why the double standards?). Maybe you’ve never been so sick before, but it’s scary. Moral support can do wonders to comfort and encourage, even if it comes from strangers.

To all you haters out there: 

Haters gonna hate! (Potatoes gonna potate!) But don’t spread the hate please..

Here are some links that are worth visiting:

(1)  ALS patient’s Ice Bucket Challenge (either read or watch!)

            (2) ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: Do You Know What You Are Supporting?

      (3) Donation to Adult Stem Cell Research for ALS Patients

P/S: Pardon my sort of ‘formal’ writing. I’ve been spending much of my time on law assignments. The writing style seems to have become a habit. Please don’t label me as ‘boring’! T__T (hahaha)

Disclaimer: All content provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information given or found by following any link in the post. The author will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information and will not be liable for any losses, injuries or damages from the display or use of this information.