Many people have seen the videos for the Ice Bucket Challenge on the Internet. The videos feature people challenging others to dump ice-cold buckets of water on their heads, or instead choosing to make donations that raise awareness and fund research for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The Ice Bucket Challenge has become hard to ignore with so many people participating, including some well-known celebrities.
For those who don’t know, ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Eventually victims lose control of voluntary motor skills, and can become completely paralyzed.
The disease is not very well understood and the most that can be done is slow the progression of the disease. Like many other neurodegenerative diseases, there is no known cure.
With so much attention on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, six MATC students have shared their perspectives on the question: Is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge making a difference?