We have all seen the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos flooding our Facebook feeds and various social platforms the last couple weeks. If you have grown annoyed by them please remember that the cause is real and the people affected by the disease truly do appreciate all the extra support they have received from the exposure the challenge has created. Here is an incredible video featuring photographer Anothony Carbajal explaining the disease and the harsh truth behind it.
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord (via ALS.org). Anthony was diagnosed with ALS in Janurary of 2014 and has taken on the disease full time to the detriment of his photography business, but hopes to continue his love for shooting despite his diagnosis. His passion for helping others and making sure to spread all the love he has to those in need is incredible and admirable.
His video immediately made me laugh, but also made me recognize the absolute pain that comes with this terrible disesase. My wife's grandmother had passed from ALS just before I had met her, making it a very emotional topic to her family and for myself. Having never heard of the disease 8 years ago its very present how real it effects an entire family. For some, it might be seen as annoying but just remember for any cause its incredible to see the added outreach from everyday people that may not have known about the disease. The enormous outreach the Ice Bucket Challenge so far has helped the ALS Association reach $22.9 million in donations compared to $1.9 million during the same time frame last year. For more information please visit ALSA.org.
A huge thank you goes out to Anthony for helping spread awareness about ALS and also for wearing a bikini for the cause.
[via Mashable]
Wow. This video just floored me. I wish you nothing but the best Mr Carbajal.
Yea, it cut pretty deep with me also. I ran to my credit cards and threw them all at this horrible disease :(
I don't really know what to say. I had no idea what ALS was, but I will try and share this video where I can . What a horrible disease...hope all this awareness will help bring a cure soon. To be honest, i was getting tired of the ALS challenge videos, but now I have to go and find a bucket and get the word out. Wish you the best Anthony and hope more people will watch and share your story.
The exact reason I felt this was a great one to share Chris. Thanks for the support.
This is amazing... I think the some people are getting annoyed simply because they don't understand what ALS is. This is the first video I've seen that showed the fun side of the Ice Bucket Challenge along with the sad, but true, side of the disease itself and the devastating reality of it's impact on the patients and their loved ones. Kudos Anthony, and thanks for sharing... I was just nominated by a friend and will be sure to donate along with sharing this video.
Hands down the best video for this whole challenge. I feel so terrible for him, it's something to get a disease from unhealthy habits (yes sometimes at no real fault of your own), debauchery, who knows where else, but it's something else when you are diagnosed at absolute no fault of your own.
I can definitely see this spreading into a national commercial. He really puts the disease into perspective!
this was the video that made me reached out for my credit card and donate..
It was because of this video that I decided to take the challenge and post a video myself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sW950E8bAQ
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