By Melanie Snyder
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a successful means of raising awareness, as well as providing a communal sense of support for victims of the disease.
Before the challenge in June, only about half the general population of the U.S. knew about ALS, according to alsa.org. In recent months, the challenge has garnered over 10 billion YouTube views, according to forbes.com. Influential people, from Ellen Degeneres to George W. Bush, have shown their support. In turn, approximately $100 million in donations has gone to the ALS Foundation, according to alsa.org.
It is no doubt that the viral popularity of the challenge has raised awareness and funding, but to victims of the disease, it means more. Anthony Carbajal, an ALS patient in his late 20s, uploaded his own version of the challenge in mid-August. In the touching video, Carbajal gratefully explained, “You have no idea how every single challenge makes me feel.”
It is no doubt that the viral popularity of the challenge has raised awareness and funding, but to victims of the disease, it means more. Anthony Carbajal, an ALS patient in his late 20s, uploaded his own version of the challenge in mid-August. In the touching video, Carbajal gratefully explained, “You have no idea how every single challenge makes me feel.”
The challenge itself has gripped the nation with a different sort of epidemic: one of utter sympathy. In short, it’s the thought that counts.