Ice Bucket Challenge? No thank you.
While I appreciate the challenge I've been given, here are my thoughts on it:
The Ice Bucket Challenge has definitely overtaken Facebook and other social media sites. The antics of everyday people and celebrities willing to dump ice cold water over their heads in an effort to help raise money for ALS research has raised over $22 million. I have laughed at some of them (Patrick Stewart, Kermit the Frog, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and I have cringed at others but I commend them all.
I think it's a fantastic way to raise the awareness of a disease that's had to ride in the backseat of drug companies and the FDA while other diseases such as breast cancer, diabetes and even erectile dysfunction have taken the lime light. (Seriously, how many commercials do I have to watch?)
I'm all for donating to a worthy cause. I give to the American Cancer Society for my two sisters that have fought cancer. I donate to the American Diabetes Association because it impacts me directly, I’m an insulin dependent diabetic and so is one of my sisters. I donate handmade cancer caps to the Raleigh Regional Cancer Center; to date I’ve donated almost 250 hats in the last two years with another 15 or 20 sitting beside me as I type this. Each cap also has a card attached with a Bible verse, the name and location of a church family ready to love them unconditionally and some washing and care instructions.
See, I believe in giving; of my time and my talents and even my own money. I do not, however, believe you have to dump ice cold water over your head to prove that you are a giving person. In fact, when this challenge began it wasn’t because of ALS at all. (I cite the article: Take the "No Ice Bucket" Challenge by Will Oremus for my previous comment) I don’t blame the ALS organization for taking this “challenge” and using it to their advantage. It’s proven useful and very successful in bringing ALS to the spotlight.
I’m writing this because I was challenged. And while I believe in doing things that are fun and silly and just plain hilarious at times (like riding roller coasters when I'm extremely afraid of heights), I must decline. Not because I think I’m too good to do it, but because I suffer with Fibromyalgia.
It’s taken me over 10 years to find treatment that allows me to go through MOST days with a minimum amount of pain. So you see, there’s no way in hell I’m dumping ice water over my head.
And as far as giving to a worthy cause . . . I do that on an ongoing basis.
Peace and blessings,
~~Karen~~
The Ice Bucket Challenge has definitely overtaken Facebook and other social media sites. The antics of everyday people and celebrities willing to dump ice cold water over their heads in an effort to help raise money for ALS research has raised over $22 million. I have laughed at some of them (Patrick Stewart, Kermit the Frog, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and I have cringed at others but I commend them all.
I think it's a fantastic way to raise the awareness of a disease that's had to ride in the backseat of drug companies and the FDA while other diseases such as breast cancer, diabetes and even erectile dysfunction have taken the lime light. (Seriously, how many commercials do I have to watch?)
I'm all for donating to a worthy cause. I give to the American Cancer Society for my two sisters that have fought cancer. I donate to the American Diabetes Association because it impacts me directly, I’m an insulin dependent diabetic and so is one of my sisters. I donate handmade cancer caps to the Raleigh Regional Cancer Center; to date I’ve donated almost 250 hats in the last two years with another 15 or 20 sitting beside me as I type this. Each cap also has a card attached with a Bible verse, the name and location of a church family ready to love them unconditionally and some washing and care instructions.
See, I believe in giving; of my time and my talents and even my own money. I do not, however, believe you have to dump ice cold water over your head to prove that you are a giving person. In fact, when this challenge began it wasn’t because of ALS at all. (I cite the article: Take the "No Ice Bucket" Challenge by Will Oremus for my previous comment) I don’t blame the ALS organization for taking this “challenge” and using it to their advantage. It’s proven useful and very successful in bringing ALS to the spotlight.
I’m writing this because I was challenged. And while I believe in doing things that are fun and silly and just plain hilarious at times (like riding roller coasters when I'm extremely afraid of heights), I must decline. Not because I think I’m too good to do it, but because I suffer with Fibromyalgia.
It’s taken me over 10 years to find treatment that allows me to go through MOST days with a minimum amount of pain. So you see, there’s no way in hell I’m dumping ice water over my head.
And as far as giving to a worthy cause . . . I do that on an ongoing basis.
Peace and blessings,
~~Karen~~
