Tanai Cannon, Campus Carrier Assistant Entertainment Editor
Recently the awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has skyrocketed and become a national phenomenon, thanks to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
The challenge was started by Chris Kennedy from Sarasota, Fla., who was nominated by a friend to participate in the challenge. When Kennedy posted his challenge video to Facebook and tagged his cousin’s husband, who has ALS. The challenge quickly spread to his family, friends and even large social networks of ALS supporters.
Berry students are very enthusiastic about the challenge and adament about spreading awareness about ALS. Some students have participated by pouring ice water over their heads, while others have simply donated the $100. Either way, students are showing their support.
Junior Togoryamba Nunghe was nominated by her boyfriend and could not believe her eyes when she saw the nomination video on Facebook.
“I was really annoyed and surprised that I was nominated, but after thinking about the idea, I realized that it was for a great cause,” Nunghe said.
Nunghe said she participated because she thought that the challenge was a great awareness tool.
“Now one more person in the world knows about the disease and can help find a cure, because in order to find a cure, lots of people have to know about it in order to do something,” Nunghe said.
Other students, such as junior Maria Santos, participated in the challenge for very similar reasons.
“I was just excited to see how many people were participating in the challenge, and I wanted to make a difference on such a huge issue,” Santos said, “It was a really hot day that day…but I wanted to do the challenge because ALS doesn’t get much attention, and I want to bring to light an issue that most people do not know about.”
Students believe that while the challenge is a great way to bring awareness for ALS, the campaign itself could be more effective.
“It is a good way to raise awareness but it does not tell you about the disease itself. What is ALS?” junior Carrie Nobles said. “Who does it affect, how can we help? There just needs to be more information to get out to people about what it is.”
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease also affects motor nuerons and may eventually lead to death. As many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at a given time, and it does have the potential to be fatal or completely immobilizing.
According to Time magazine, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has raised more than $15 million from both existing donors and new donors for the ALS Association.
For those looking to get in on the challenge, it is never to late to get involved. This Friday, Sept. 5, there will be a Mega Ice Bucket Challenge hosted at Ridge Ferry Park in Rome. Come out and join the awareness movement at 6:30 p.m and make a difference one bucket at a time with the Rome community.