This ALS Discovery Just Happened Thanks To The Ice Bucket Challenge

alschallenge.jpgIt seems like just yesterday everyone was pouring ice water on their heads to promote awareness for ALS. This silly challenge went viral and even celebrities joined in to raise money for the research foundation. Good news, it is paying off! 

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

The average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to five years, and currently there is no cure.

Two years after the ALS ice bucket challenge rocked the internet, however, things might be about to change. 

A project called MinE at the University of Massachusetts Medical School has just discovered the gene that's responsible for ALS.

Until recently, one of the biggest obstacles to finding a cure for ALS had been not knowing what caused the disease. Now that researchers can pinpoint the gene (which is called NEK1), it will be that much easier to figure out how to reverse and/or treat its effects.

This incredible scientific breakthrough would not have been possible had MinE not received a $1,000,000 grant from the ALS Association/Ice Bucket Challenge. 

As such, it's only right that we pay tribute to the many people who sacrificed their dryness and dignity for the greater good.

Over 6,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year in the United States alone. But this discovery puts us a big step closer finding a cure.

It's mostly thanks to a meme — a truth-or-dare type challenge that many at the time called pointless. This breakthrough, two years after the fact, just goes to show that virality does have power, power that, when harnessed in positive ways, can absolutely be used for the greater good.

Sure these GIFs and videos and images make us laugh, and sure, maybe some people didn't understand why they were participating or they were only doing it because their friends were, but the fact remains: The Ice Bucket Challenge inspired people to get up and actually do something that truly made a difference. And that's pretty incredible.
 
New Call-to-action

Recent Posts

You Know You’re a Nurse When…
It's Nurses Month and today we're diving into the wonderfully weird world that only us healthcare workers truly understand. Nursing is a unique blend of compassion, resilience, and a whole lot of...
Read More
Celebrating the Heartbeat of Healthcare: A Tribute to Nurses
As the calendar turns towards May, a special week shines a spotlight on the very heart and soul of healthcare: our Nurses. National Nurses Week, celebrated each year from May 6th to May 12th, is not...
Read More
Beyond Bedside Manner: Cultivating True Empathy in Nursing Practice
In the whirlwind of healthcare settings, where minutes can feel like hours and emotions run high, it's easy to fall into the trap of equating politeness with genuine care. While saying "please" and...
Read More

Subscribe to Email Our Newsletter

Education_Award_Square