ALS Disease fundraiser Ice Bucket Challenge sweeps nation - WLS

What is ALS? (from the ALS Association)

ALS was first found in 1869 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, but it wasn't until 1939 that Lou Gehrig brought national and international attention to the disease. Ending the career of one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, the disease is still most closely associated with his name. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.

More info from the ALS Association

Celebrities get drenched for the Ice Bucket Challenge

Aaron Rodgers, Mark Zuckerberg and others raise awareness for ALS.

Des Plaines mayor completes ALS ice bucket challenge

Des Plaines Mayor Matthew Bogusz completed the ALS ice bucket challenge just before Monday night's council meeting.

FUNNY: Chris Pratt reinvents the ice bucket challenge

Because Pratt was challenged by two people, he decides to do the challenge 'slightly different.'

Mayor Parker completes 'Ice Bucket Challenge'

The 'Ice Bucket Challenge' has raised more than $11 million for the ALS Association.

Oberweis joins ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

State Senator Jim is joining a national craze in the fight against ALS, joining several local politicians and sports figures who dumped ice water on their heads to raise awareness of the deadly disease.

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Source: http://abc7chicago.com/society/als-disease-fundraiser-ice-bucket-challenge-sweeps-nation/270600/