ALS ice bucket challenge comes North
The ice bucket challenge has hit the North. In the Arctic, it's a much colder experience.
Richard McKinnon used seawater from the Arctic Ocean to complete his ice bucket challenge in Ulukhaktok, N.W.T. He challenged anyone north of the Arctic Circle.
In Iqaluit, Vinnie Karetak and Spencer Dewar completed their challenges at Iqaluit's main intersection over the lunch hour Thursday.
"It's to raise money for ALS research and it's based on challenges through social media," said Dewar. "Nastania Mullin has challenged my friend Vinnie [Karetak] and he reciprocated by challenging me."
The rules:
- Post a YouTube video of yourself on your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page getting a bucket of ice water dumped on your head.
- Tag ALS Worldwide in your post and use the #ALSIceBucketChallenge hashtag.
- Challenge three people to the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS or they are invited to donate to an ALS charity.
- People have 24 hours to either to pour a bucket of ice over their head on camera or make a donation to an ALS charity
Karetak also challenged the president of Inuit TapiriitKanatami, Terry Audla.
Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq posted a video Wednesday of herself doing the ice bucket challenge. She challenged Yukon MP Ryan Leef, among others.
The ALS Society of Alberta supports families in the N.W.T. and Nunavut affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
"We have people that are living with ALS that are participating in the challenge, and it gives hope to our families," says Brandy Fossen, who manages the North region for the society.
"I think it validates that people are aware of this now."
She says they received one donation at this time last year, but this year, they've had 21 donations and counting. She says the money will go to equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers.
A person with ALS usually lives two to five years from the time they're diagnosed.
