ALS Donations pouring in thanks to Ice Bucket Challenge

August 11, 2014 1:08 pm

It’s freezing. It’s fun. And it’s all for charity. The ice bucket challenge is a viral campaign aimed at raising awareness and money for ALS. Nancy Feroldi with the ALS Association Rhode Island chapter is floored by the phenomenon.

“I’ve been with the association over 18 years and I have never ever seen anything like this,
she said.

Here’s how it works. You either douse yourself with a bucket of ice water on video, or donate $100. Then you challenge friends to do the same.

It’s been a huge success. Nation wide $168,000 was raised last week. That’s compared to the $14,000 raised during the same time last year. Rhode Island’s chapter is planning to put that money to good use.

“Locally one of our primary tasks is to fundraiser to support local programs and services for ALS patients and families,” said Feroldi.

ALS, or Lou Gherig’s disease, is a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disorder. Once diagnosed, the average life expectancy is only 2 to 5 years.

The grass roots effort is really catching on. Some familiar faces have stepped up to the plate to fight the disease including several members of the ABC6 News team, as well as some of your elected officials.

“We have no idea where this is all going to wind up, except for we do know that its brought a level of attention and interest in ALS that we have never witnessed before,” said Feroldi.

Dozens of people will be taking the challenge during a kick off event for the RI chapters ‘Walk to Defeat ALS.’ That is happening Monday August 11, 2014 from 5:30 to 7 at the Garden City gazebo. The public is invited to attend and participate.

The walk will take place on Sunday September, 21^st. For more information you can visit there website at: http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?fr_id=10191&pg=entry#.U-j3bLTAaF8

To donate you can visit: https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/Donation2;jsessionid=C1B402EFC4F7379A03FC2D2CD9905878.app276b?df_id=2694&2694.donation=form1

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