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Ice Bucket Challenge

Tuesday, 19 August 2014 06:19

Have you taken the challenge yet?

WOODSTOCK - If you're on social media, chances are you've heard or maybe even been asked to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS.

According to ALS Canada, ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neuromuscular disease in which nerve cells die and leave voluntary muscles paralysed.

Interim CEO of ALS Canada, Tammy Moore says the challenge was started by Pete Frades out of Boston.

"He is a 28 year old man who has ALS and was diagnosed about two years ago. His disease has progressed to the point where his only ability to communicate is through eye communication technology, he's pretty much paralysed. He was the one who challenged initially his friends and family and from there it started to spread."

Moore says the challenge has been a huge success in terms of raising awareness as well as funds.

"ALS is a progressive motor neuron degenerative disease. It generally starts in the extremities with a twitch and as the paralyses progresses it eventually moves to the diaphragm as well as to the speaking and swallowing so someone with ALS will eventually be unable to breathe or to swallow."

"We would like to encourage people to not only due step one of the Ice Bucket Challenge with the bucket of ice over the head but instead to make a donation to the ALS charity of choice and in Canada that would be through ALS Canada so als.ca/icebucketchallenge ."

The challenge asks nominees to dump a bucket of ice water over their head within 24 hours of being nominated or donate $100 to an ALS organization and then nominating three more people. Most people do both.

Heart FM's Liz Wismer will be taking part in the challenge Tuesday morning.

The American challenge has already raised more than $15 million in three weeks.

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