ALS ASSOCIATION – ARKANSAS CHAPTER, INC. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday, August 13, 2014 In the past two weeks, the Ice Bucket Challenge has literally drenched the nation. Celebrities, ALS Donors, ALS Families and Friends have poured water over their heads and challenged others to do the same or to make a donation to ALS within the next twenty-four hours following challenge (preferably both). Today, the ALS Association – Arkansas Chapter, Inc. has some exciting news to announce. They have challenged Chancellor G. David Gearhart, University of Arkansas, to take a bucket of ice water over his head in support of ALS. Chancellor Gearhart will be soaked on Friday afternoon, August 15, 2014 at The Fowler House on the University of Arkansas Campus. The Chancellor will be joined by Shannon Holley, ALS Arkansas Chapter Board President, Jennifer Necessary, ALS Arkansas Chapter Executive Director, and additional ALS Arkansas Chapter Board Members. Also, in attendance will be some of the University of Arkansas Phi Delta Theta Fraternity members, as their philanthropic outreach is ALS. ALS has never before experienced this level of visibility across the nation, and we’re so thankful to the thousands of people who’ve been doused with ice water and/or donated to fight this devastating disease. With only about half of the general public knowledgeable about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the Ice Bucket Challenge is making a profound difference. Currently, there is only one drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ALS, which only modestly extends survival by two to three months. Consequently, ALS is 100 percent fatal. In addition to acclimating to the challenges that come with losing control of voluntary muscle movement, people with the disease progressively lose their ability to eat, speak, walk, and eventually breathe. From July 29 to August 13, the national office of The ALS Association-wide (which includes national and chapter revenue), has received $5.7 million compared to $1.2 million during the same time period last year. The challenge became a viral sensation in the last couple of weeks thanks to Pete Frates, former Boston College baseball captain and his family. Pete, 29 has lived with ALS since 2012. To make a challenge, post a video of yourself pouring a bucket of ice/water over your head to your social media. In the video, explain why you are doing it – to raise awareness and money to support the fight against ALS. Please contact Jennifer Necessary at (479) 621-8700 if you would like additional information about the ALS Association – Arkansas Chapter, Inc.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:14:13 +0000
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