What is ALS? 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. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body.The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is an activity involving dumping a bucket of water on one’s head or donating to ALS research. The challenge dares nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads. A common stipulation is that nominated people have 24 hours to comply or forfeit by way of a charitable financial donation.
Rules for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge:
Within 24 hours of being challenged, participants are to video record themselves in continuous footage. First they are to announce their acceptance of the challenge followed by pouring ice into a bucket of water. The bucket is then to be lifted overhead and poured over the participants head. Then the participant can call out a challenge to other people.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has now come to Chestermere and so far LifePath Wellness, Scott D. Dry, Rob Feth of Core, Derryl Kasprick of Shaw, Ron Jossul of Rona, Cam Summerfeldt of Coppertree, and Jesse Depew have either been challenged or completed the challenge so far. Public figures MLA Bruce McAllister, Mayor Patricia Matthews, and Councilor Patrick Watson have also been nominated by Steven Jeffries and Jenn Cook of the Chestermere Anchor to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Mayor Matthews is currently away, however, so Deputy Mayor Christopher Steeves will be filling in for the mayor.
Jenn Cook of the Chestermere Anchor has completed the Ice Bucket Challenge for both herself and her vacationing colleague. Isn’t it curious that just when the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge starts to circle the neighborhood that so many of the nominees happen to be away; just an observation.
Council Patrick Watson, who is away at this time has agreed to both complete the Ice Bucket Challenge from where he is and to donate $100 to ALS research so thank you Mr. Watson for your charitable donation.
Deputy Mayor Christopher Steeves and MLA Bruce McAllister completed their ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Saturday evening at the End of Summer Chestermere Gives Back Community Block Party. It was certainly an icy debacle but everyone, even the participants it seemed, enjoyed the moment.
In the minutes before their drenching, Christopher Steeves and Bruce McAllister nominated three more individuals each to complete the Ice Bucket Challenge; after all, why not spread the ‘joy’ around?
To find out the names of these individuals search for the video – you are guaranteed a laugh and smile for the rest of your day.
