Thanks, Makenna May, for nominating me to the ALS #IceBucketChallenge. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS leads to total paralysis and eventually to death. The #StrikeOutALS campaign has raised an additional $15.6 Million since July 29 thanks to this campaign, and needless to say, awareness regarding the condition has increased tremendously (time/3136458/viral-als-ice-bucket-challenge-funds-raised-15-million/). I would also like to contribute beyond my participation in this campaign. I believe that donation to ALSA is a very commendable step, but considering the recent surge in donations there, I have instead decided to donate $100 to the Yang-Ward Foundation, started by Yangmali Yang (MUWCI 10). Yang-Ward Foundation seeks to empower single women of rural Nepal by teaching them farming skills such as sustainable organic cash crop production, poultry farming and pig farming. You can read more about the foundation and also donate here (https://indiegogo/projects/empowering-single-women-of-rural-nepal--2). It is a 501(c)(3) organisation and all donations are tax-free in the US. Further, today Deb and Paul Kavanaugh have provided a $1,000 challenge grant. I believe that while the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a great idea to spread awareness about a horrible medical condition, it must be supplemented by efforts to fight it and other challenges across the globe. I urge everybody, regardless of their participation in any form in the Challenge, to reflect on their place in this world and take a small step to contribute towards effective change. To continue, I nominate Jennifer Shoe, Aubree Andres and Vidur Joshi. You have 24 hours :)
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:32:35 +0000
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