ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Unless you've been living under a rock, you might have heard about the ALS Ice bucket challenge.

The ALS association is the only non-profit organization raising funds to fight Amyotrphic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. It's a neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 5,600 new patients every year. It is progressive and causes paralysis of voluntary muscles. In rare cases, patients can survive with this disease for more than 20 years, but in most cases patients will only live about 2-5 years after diagnosis.

What's this have to do with dumping ice water on your head?
The Ice Bucket Challenge is just a fun way the association has used to get the word out, raise awareness, and raise funds for research. And they've done just that, reaching 1.2 million new donors with this challenge, and raising $70.2 million so far this year, compared to $2.4 million they raised by this time last year.

Challengers are dared to either complete the challenge within 24 hours of being nominated, or donate $100 to the ALS association. I'll gladly say, most of my friends who have posted their videos have accepted the challenge AND donated to this cause.

Even celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon. Probably one of my favorites was uploaded by Chris Pratt!

And David Beckham

....I could honestly watch that 10 more times

I sat around like the last kid to be picked in gym class, waiting to be nominated. And received two nominations within 24 hours, from my dad (yea...I can't believe my dad was picked before me, I've apparently underestimated his coolness) and from challenge duo, Brody & Shaun. I was only willing to post one video, but upon learning of my second nomination, my mother had other plans in mind...

Although I'm not overly fond of dumping clean drinking water on the ground, mom did say she needed to water that side of the yard anyways today 

Before you donate to any foundation or fundraising event, I urge you to do a little research on charities before making a contribution. Mindfully give to those who are transparent about their funding...how much actually goes towards research, and how much revenue the CEO pockets. The ALS association scored very high, so you can take comfort in knowing your money is going to an accountable cause!

So for those others like me, still waiting to be nominated to participate...this is for YOU! I challenge any reader who has not yet known the fatal freeze that is the Ice bucket challenge, to post your video and #alsicebucketchallenge and #yogabarrechs so I can see yours!

If you want to 96 the challenge but still want to make a difference, donate here!

Charleston James Island Connector Run

JIC run 2013

This past November, I ran the Charleston James Island Connector Run as a race ambassador with my family, Shanna, and Shannon. It was such a well organized event and benefits a great cause, the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation. It's a partnership of local Charleston sponsors with CofC, CSU, The Citadel, TTC, and the Art Institute to provide scholarships to students with disabilities. As a rehabilitation counselor, you know this is near and dear to my heart and is important for me be involved with in my community. I plan on running it again this year and I've been looking forward to it literally since I finished the race last year!

As an ambassador, I was able to meet the recipients of last year's GKF scholarship and speak with each student individually about their plans for college. The kids blew me away! I had a chance to talk with a few families of these brilliant students, two parents in particular who were lighting up the entire room with their smiles. I knew immediately who their son was in the group of 13 recipients. He was smiling even bigger than they were, and it was so contagious I found myself grinning ear to ear! They talked about how proud they were of him, how smart he was, and what he wanted to do when he graduated college. This was a BIG deal for them. For several students with disabilities, the cost of medical equipment and disability management is an issue. This foundation extends the opportunity for a college education to students who may otherwise not have the funds. I don't run the race to break records (because Lord know I'm slow as molasses). I run the race for these kids! The 6 hills are just an added bonus ;-)

There's a 5k and 10k run/walk option, as well as a 10k bike before the runners start. The race features stunning views of the Charleston peninsula via the James Island Connector, normally not a bridge pedestrians are allowed to run on! The race itself is big enough that you feel this inspiring sense of community, yet small enough that the crowd isn't overwhelming (unlike other bridge runs *ahem*) 

Use discount code: Melissa14 at checkout for 20% off

If you don't want to run/walk, but still want to be involved, volunteers are needed to fill lots of roles before, during, and after the race! Sign up here to volunteer!

(No, I did not mean to rhyme)