Community leaders partake in ALS awareness tag

If you’ve turned on the television or scrolled through your online newsfeed in the last month, chances are you’ve either seen or heard of someone doing the ALS #icebucketchallenge.

Speculation on where this challenge began is still unclear – dumping a bucket of ice water to raise awareness for charity.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

According to the ALS Association, approximately 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed each year, and the average life expectancy is about two to five years from that point. About 30,000 people in the United States are living with ALS.

Between July 29 and Aug. 21, the ALS Association received $41.8 million in donations, compared to just $2.1 million during the same time period last year.

Of course, that’s all thanks to social media. That’s how you learn if you’ve been “tagged.”

The ice bucket challenge process is simple: Once you’ve been nominated, you have 24 hours to complete the task – dumping a bucket of ice water over your head – and then passing it along by naming others to do the same.

Those who don’t follow through within that time frame face the “consequence” of having to donate $100 to the cause.

Already in Shreveport-Bossier City, a number of participants jumped on board to not only soak themselves for awareness but donate, too.

Caddo Parish Superintendent Dr. Lamar Goree and director of high schools Victor Mainero were recently challenged by Caddo Chief Academic Officer Keith Burton.

“While I have not had any family members or close friends affected by Lou Gehrig’s Disease, I have had loved ones who have fought other diseases such as cancers. With that being said, I felt it was important to participate even if I do not have a personal connection because it not only had me researching more about ALS, but this campaign is actively encouraging others to do the same,” Goree said. “I also felt it was important for others to see our Caddo employees are not only participating but donating as well.”

Goree said he believes this area has a culture of giving, and if there’s a worthwhile cause, we’ll rally to make a difference.

“It is a fun way to bring awareness, but there is a real disease here, and we were happy to get cold and wet if it means making a difference and getting others to participate,” he said.

Bossier Parish Schools Superintendent D.C. Machen also submitted to icy water, as did a number of employees at Moonbot Studios and Blue Southern Comfort Foods owner Carolyn Manning.

Brian Chico, a resident of Shreveport, was challenged by a friend. He said he’d heard of the challenge but didn’t really know what it was for. After a little research, he decided to film himself doing the challenge.

“I got the chance to encourage others to take the stand and show their support,” he said. “After I watched the videos, I came across about the origin of the challenge and saw videos of individuals with ALS, it became even more humanized for me. It’s not really about ice water, it’s about people. It’s like any other charitable event. It’s about human beings coming together to try and do what they can to bring an end to a horrific disease.”

Jessy Hutchison, a spokesperson and event coordinator for the ALS Louisiana-Mississippi chapter, has planned a Shreveport Walk to Defeat ALS. The event will take place 9 a.m. Oct. 18 at the Louisiana Boardwalk.

“[The walk] provides an opportunity to bring local ALS patients and their families together. The ALS community enjoys the fellowship, but equally as important is the opportunity for those that don’t know much about ALS to meet patients and their families,” Hutchison said. “That experience usually makes quite an impact on people. I know it did for me.”

The walk is a family event, featuring food, music and children’s activities.

Hutchison said the ice bucket challenge has attracted more than 1 million new donors to the ALS Association, and he’s excited his organization is gaining this much exposure.

“People are being incredibly generous with the ice bucket challenge, and we’re hopeful that this generosity and interest in ALS will extend through the rest of this year with increased participation in our fall events,” he said. “Despite this considerable amount of money donated nationwide, our fight against this disease won’t end this summer. We need continued support to help people with ALS and their families impacted by this disease in the Shreveport area.”

For more information on the ALS walk in Shreveport, visit www.walktodefeatals.org.

–Derick Jones