Courtesy of Phi Delta Theta
Videos on social media of people doing the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” have been circulating in recent months, eliciting questions about the purpose behind the challenge.
At The University of Mississippi, many students and faculty have gone above and beyond the challenge of simply soaking themselves with ice cold water and have really dove into the effort to support ALS research.
For those that do not know exactly what ALS is, it stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that acts quickly, causing motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain to die. This leads to the inability for movement by those people that have the disease. The patient is fully cognizant of what is happening to them and experiences the full physical pain and distress of ALS.
At The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, efforts are being made to research the disease. Dr. Alexander Auchus and Dr. Vettakikorumakankav Vedanarayanan of the neurology department are involved in research and support for ALS patients and recently took the ice bucket challenge themselves in support of the movement. Furthermore, plans are developing for an ALS clinic at UMMC to treat patients specifically with ALS.
Fundraising has increased in Mississippi this year, most likely from the exposure of the ice bucket challenge. Jamie Craig from the ALS Association of Louisiana and Mississippi said that, “from July 29 through Aug. 28, Mississippi residents gave $34,921 to our chapter.” She also added that “donations from Mississippians have certainly increased this year – due in large part to the Ice Bucket Challenge.”
According to Craig, the ALS association of Louisiana and Mississippi “has raised $177,000 since July 29 and raised $38,500 during the same time period last year.”
Craig mentioned that the Mississippi Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Ole Miss has been the leading fundraiser on campus.
“The Phi Delts have been a wonderful partner. They have organized events and raised funds for us for several years. This year, a Phi Delt brother from Mississippi State was diagnosed with ALS, so the guys have a more personal reason to join in the fight.”
William Kneip, junior public policy leadership major and philanthropy chairman for the Mississippi Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta, discussed their role in support of ALS fundraising and research.
“Phi Delta Theta has a unique partnership with the ALS Association in honor of our brother and baseball great, Lou Gehrig, who died from ALS. For many years now we have been driven by our chapter’s commitment to service and by those who have worked hard to raise both awareness and money for the ALS Association. In the past two years alone we have raised over $40,000.
“These funds help support individuals and their families in our community through consultation and monetary needs among many other benefits the association offers.”
Sparky Reardon, dean emeritus and advisor for Phi Delta Theta, expressed his satisfaction with all Phi Delta Theta has done to support ALS patients.
“I am proud of Mississippi Alpha and of all of the Phi Delta Theta chapters in the United States and Canada for all that they have done to support ALS research.”
Reardon also discussed the special circumstances of this year. Ralph Doxey Jr., the Phi Delt brother from Mississippi State, is a close friend of the Mississippi Alpha chapter and was recently diagnosed with ALS. Mississippi Alpha took the Ice Bucket Challenge a few weeks ago and dedicated it to Doxey Jr.
Craig urges everyone to do what they can to support those with the disease.
“Every single dollar makes a difference,” Craig said. “Whether it’s $25 or $39,000 – it makes a difference in the work we are doing and in the lives of people affected by ALS.”
