Ice Buckets.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:21am

Let's nominate people here and then they can nominate other people and ALS will be cured in no time by trendy people getting wet and not donating money!





Updated On: 8/21/14 at 09:21 AM

[darquegk]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:25am

I had a discussion about this the other day, and have decidedly mixed feelings now. On one hand, donations are undeniably way up because of this meme. On the other hand, most people who do it don't donate.

The reality of the situation, grim as it is, is that ALS has no cure and does not see a cure on the horizon. No one is especially close to one. So I can see the logic of the Ice Bucket Challenge meme- more money and raised public awareness to a little-discussed medical issue may ultimately trump lots of money but little public interest or awareness. ALS is not as flashy and well-marketed as cancer, which is impossible to avoid both in terms of knowing someone who has it, and in terms of its marketing schemes. Without the Ice Bucket Challenge, I'd venture to say the majority of mainstream America would not even care about ALS right now.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:26am

And the second that people stop "liking" their video on Facebook, they'll stop caring about it again.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:28am

You have these huge celebrities like Oprah who are doing it (which is great) but you know she's also GIVING MONEY.

Maybe the celebs who do it could start out holding a check saying this is what they're donating for research.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:32am

How is there anything bad about this?

It's designed to create awareness and they've gotten 13 million plus dollars since the campaign started.

Even if the celebs who do it don't donate they're bringing to people's attention.

Even if we all forget about it in 3 moths they've still raised the money.

I fail to see any negative aspects or why someone would have mixed feelings about this.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:39am

It's not the challenge that's bad but the attitude behind some of the participants. Some people don't even mention ALS when taping or posting. And some certainly do not donate.

Those who can't afford to donate but use the video as a way to talk about ALS and spread awareness ARE helping. But last week I had to google "Ice Bucket Challenge" because I had no idea what the purpose of it was.

To me, THAT is the problem with it. My cast and I are thinking about doing one and collecting donations after each performance. But between you and me, I'd rather just do the latter. :P

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 9:41am

I was keeping my head low to avoid the whole thing but then on the WORST day last week, somebody challenged me. So I got out my checkbook and donated. I hope that counts and helps.
But there will be none better than this, if you ask me

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 10:07am

What about Mrs. Goth?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 10:08am

She lives in Canada. Meanwhile Goth and Jon Hamm are just good friends.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 10:25am

I have always loved Michael Cerveris, but I have never loved him more.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 10:44am

I feel like I could get behind this more if the money was being spread around a bit. It's great that ALS is getting all of these donations but what about other organizations that to just as much good? I think I'd like it better if the challenge was "ALS or an organization of your choice". Imagine if I did the bucket challenge and said "I'm doing the ice bucket challenge for BC/EFA. What group will you do it for?"

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:34am

I totally agree, PJ.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:41am

I'm with Taz on this one.

I poured ice over my head and I donated. And I was happy to do both.

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:44am

"I feel like I could get behind this more if the money was being spread around a bit."

Yes, it is strange how this ALS promotion only benefits ALS, just like every other unique thing associated to other charities only benefits those charities. I realize this has barely been around for a full two years, and only a viral sensation for a few whole weeks, but yes, it is a bit greedy for ALS to be getting so much attention for such a short period of time while raising money to help people.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:45am

Then I'd imagine you're in the minority. When you DO donate, it's a very noble thing you're doing. But again, the majority of people out there posting videos of themselves doing this A) Are not donating money B) Have no real idea what ALS is & C) Are just trying to get as many "likes" as they can for it.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:48am

I can't wait for Roxy to respond to this saying he can't see it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:50am

He's too busy trying to find a recipe for ice.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:57am

I was FURIOUS when my best friend from high school challenged me this weekend, but then I did it and enjoyed it. I think what makes this so successful is the fact that it's not just donating, but passing it along and feeling a connection to the event. And yes...I donated.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:58am

^^^^^

Thanks Jordan my laugh of the day!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 11:59am

When you DO donate, it's a very noble thing you're doing. But again, the majority of people out there posting videos of themselves doing this A) Are not donating money B) Have no real idea what ALS is & C) Are just trying to get as many "likes" as they can for it.

How do you know this, Jordan?! That's a pretty broad declaration to make, and I would argue that it's untrue.

Don't like it. Don't participate. But, why the need to rip it to shreds?

EDITED to remove the unbecoming part of my post. The statements remain true. If you're not interested in something don't participate.

Updated On: 8/18/14 at 11:59 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 12:07pm

Wow. I said what you did was a great thing and you jump on my ass.

It's pretty obvious I wasn't talking about YOU, so put your claws back. I'm talking about the kids I see all over Facebook throwing water on each other with absolutely no mention of why they're doing it and who are obviously not donating.

Maybe I take this thing so personally because it's something that I've had to deal with in my life so seeing people having "fun" with it hits close to home. Maybe that's why. Maybe I never said people shouldn't participate but that they should make it known WHY they're doing it. And maybe I never ONCE ripped it to shreds, only the motives behind certain people doing it.

And maybe all that's true but you'd rather just get nasty about it.

Updated On: 8/18/14 at 12:07 PM

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 12:22pm

Maybe this is something many people deal with...

I direct everyone's attention to this: (Spend the few minutes watching the entire thing)



A woman living with ALS speaks

Updated On: 8/18/14 at 12:22 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 12:25pm

I've seen that video.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 12:27pm

Melissa Etheridge's video was pretty fun. At least this has people talking. I don't have the money to donate at this time, but I do appreciate that so many people are.
Melissa & her kids

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/18/14 at 12:29pm

I don't know how anybody who has been personally touched by ALS could have any problem with this campaign.

And, I'll leave it at that.