Fighting for ALS

Within 30 days, awareness for ALS has quickly and widely spread across social media usage. With the participation of the ice bucket challenge, one must urge others to accept the task in 24 hours and donate for the cause of research and care services to patients and their families. Those who were affected by the disease remained committed to informing those of what is often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease" and encouraging donations worldwide. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. Adding on to the burdens that come with losing control of voluntary muscle movement, individuals with the disease eventually lose their ability to eat, speak, walk, and breathe at some point in time. Unfortunately, ALS is 100% fatal. At the start of mid-July continuing into the near end of August, the association has raised an astonishing $100 million from more than three million people who has donated.

According to President and CEO of The ALS Association, Barbara Newhouse, "the visibility that this disease is getting as a result of the challenge is truly invaluable. People who have never before heard of ALS are now engaged in the fight to find treatments and a cure for ALS." Between celebrities, organizations, to the general public; everyone is willing to participate in what has become the trending topic of Summer 2014.