Creative fundraising: ALS 'Ice Bucket Challenge'

For those who have raised funds or had to meet other financial goals, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a refreshing and invigorating change of pace.

Instead of weeks and weeks of collecting donations, finding sponsors or setting up for a large, detailed event, ice bucket participants can quickly get doused with a bucket of water and/or donate to the ALS Association.

The challenge caught on quickly, as $94.3 million has been raised since July 29, according to the ALS Association's website. Current donors and 2.1 million new donors contributed to the cause.

ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which affects nerve and muscle function. People with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement. The disease can lead to paralysis and death. More than 5,600 people in the U.S. learn they have ALS each year. Of the patients, 60 percent of people with ALS are men and 93 percent are Caucasian.

The ALS Association currently funds family care and research programs.

"The ALS Association has been given a great deal of money and with that comes tremendous responsibility," said Barbara Newhouse, president and CEO of the ALS Association in a prepared statement. "We are committed to transparency and will be communicating regularly with the ALS community, our donors, the media and the public about progress to invest these dollars wisely in areas that will have maximum impact against this devastating disease."

Done safely, we approve of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. It's a fun way to help a good cause, bond, and take part in a competition.

Organizers ask participants to spread awareness by using the following hashtags online: #icebucketchallenge, #alsicebucketchallenge, and #strikeoutals.

The Columbia Basin Herald supports the cause and plans to take part today in our parking lot on 813 W. Third Ave. in Moses Lake.

If you haven't already, consider taking the challenge alone or as a group. You could help save a life.

- Editorial Board