Social Networking Benefits Not for Profits

I guess the last laugh is on me today. Earlier, I very much enjoyed videoing my children dumping a large bucket of ice water on my hubby in support of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. As I laughed at his chills, I reminded him that it was a really great cause. “The challenge requires participants to take the plunge within 24 hours of being ‘nominated’ or donate $100…” (Herbert, 2014). ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease attacks nerve cells and leads to paralysis.



Fueled through celebrity participation on social media, “The national ALS Association said it's received $7.6 million between July 29 and August 14, up from $1.4 million over the same period last year” (Herbert, 2014). Incidence of ALS increases with age but there are no proven genetic or environmental pre-cursors and only 1 FDA approved treatment. Life expectancy of ALS patients is 2 to 5 years.



The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, clearly, demonstrates the power of social networking to increase awareness and provide a platform for charitable giving. I have, personally, enjoyed the loud shrieks and shocked faces of my friends who have accepted the challenge. However, I’m not looking forward to reciprocating tomorrow afternoon; I was challenged today via Facebook. Peer pressure necessitates that I accept the physical challenge in addition to making a donation. I’m sure to spend the remainder of the evening painstakingly agonizing over who I will challenge tomorrow.



Christine

Herbert, Geoff (August 2014). Who started the Ice Bucket Challenge? ALS Association's viral fundraiser has NY roots. Accessed 14-August-2014: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/als_ice_bucket_challenges_start_new_york.html

http://www.alsa.org/about-als/who-gets-als.html