Buckets

You don't seem to be able to look anywhere on social media these days without witnessing someone pouring a bucket of ice-cold water on themselves. It's part of brilliant, simple campaign by Pete Frates ("Freight-eez") to raise awareness of ALS and raise funding for ALS research.

Its been a huge success, with ALS and the campaign making national headlines. I've long maintained that ALS awareness must increase before you can start trying to raise funds for research. Pete's campaign has proven me wrong - slightly.

Donations to ALS charities have shot through roof during the campaign.

I cannot begin to tell you how it feels, as a patient, when your rare, terrible neurodegenerative disease gets some time in the limelight...but I can show you a couple of my favorite videos....


3. The folks at my hospital, Johns Hopkins: Dr. Rothstein, who diagnosed me with ALS, features prominently in the video


2. Jimmy Fallon, guests, and his house band, The Roots: a national audience!


1. There are many videos that share first place. They're the dozens of videos out there featuring my family and friends; I feel the love.

As for me? I'd better look out my own bucket...