The Current FReepathon Pays For The Current Quarter's Expenses?
Posted on 08/18/2014 7:42:47 AM PDT by don-o
Catholics who are endorsing this should know where the money is going.
Fr. Michael Duffy explains:
We’ve all seen it, and many of you have probably done it. Many celebrities, politicians and even priests have done it. There is a great amount of good that comes about from furthering awareness of such a terrible disease. Since July 29th, $5.5 million has been raised for ALS research. The problem that I have the with ALS Ice Bucket challenge is that the ALS Association is a supporter of embryonic stem cell research.
The American Life League website has done the leg work on this particular charitable cause.
From ALSA.org:
“Adult stem cell research is important and should be done alongside embryonic stem cell research as both will provide valuable insights. Only through exploration of all types of stem cell research will scientists find the most efficient and effective ways to treat diseases.”
From the Life League website:
In an email to ALL from Carrie Munk at the ALS Association:
The ALS Association primarily funds adult stem cell research. Currently, The Association is funding one study using embryonic stem cells (ESC), and the stem cell line was established many years ago under ethical guidelines set by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS); this research is funded by one specific donor, who is committed to this area of research. In fact, donors may stipulate that their funds not be invested in this study or any stem cell project. Under very strict guidelines, The Association may fund embryonic stem cell research in the future.
Saint John Paul II said in 2003:
Any treatment which claims to save human lives, yet is based upon the destruction of human life in its embryonic state, is logically and morally contradictory, as is any production of human embryos for the direct or indirect purpose of experimentation or eventual destruction.
While I can’t donate to the ALS Association, I will certainly pray for those that suffer from this disease. I’ll also be on the lookout for a charity that doesn’t violate the sanctity of human life.
And he’s found one. Visit the link to learn more.
Meantime, a commentator in Washington sees a different problem:
This is, quite frankly, an insult to the parts of the world that have little or no drinking water readily available. It’s in especially poor taste this summer, with much of the western and southwestern United States dealing with one of the worst droughts in decades. There are even D.C. area residents who have been instructed to boil their water this week, due to unsafe conditions.
The bigger issue, though, is the look-at-me culture this promotes. Hashtag activism is not real activism. Dumping a bucket of ice water over your head does not make you a hero. Posting about it on social media and challenging others to do the same certainly doesn’t either.
Let’s be very clear about something. I am all in favor of raising money for ALS. It’s an awful, progressive, deadly disease for which we have no cure. I watched my uncle Chris, a proud Navy pilot, reduced to a wheelchair, his chest heavy with each breath, before it eventually took his life.
So, instead of wasting several gallons of cold water and shouting out your non- achievement from the rooftop, I have a better idea. There are plenty of organizations in this country that need your time, attention and charity.
UPDATE: One writer at Slate gives the origin of this particular challenge, and says: enough, already.
Snip:
More than anything else, the ice bucket videos feel like an exercise in raising awareness of one’s own zaniness, altruism, and/or attractiveness in a wet T-shirt.
That’s why I’m proposing what is sure to be an unpopular alternative to the #icebucketchallenge. It’s called the no ice bucket challenge, and it works like this:
Do not fetch a bucket, fill it with ice, or dump it on your head. Do not film yourself or post anything on social media. Just donate the damn money, whether to the ALS Association or to some other charity of your choice. And if it’s an organization you really believe in, feel free to politely encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Fome the get-go, it reeked of "LOOK AT MEEEEE!!!!!"
That last line should have been in a comment - NOT in the article. Sorry.
This bucket baloney has already reached the off-putting heights attained previously only during the NFL’s annual Pink Period.
Nothing is ever simple. Sad bump.
Exactly...
A feel good stunt that’s up there with Mooch’s hash tag freeourgirls#
How’d that work out for the girls?
“Fome the get-go, it reeked of “LOOK AT MEEEEE!!!!!”
Not unlike very publically bringing soccer balls and teddy bears to the illegal kids entering USA.
One question I do have though is: So it’s “bad” to donate to ALSA because they currently fund one study now (that’s fully funded by one donor no other money) that uses Embryonic stem cells and they “may” fund research in the future using ESC’s?
Really? That’s what I’m supposed to tell my great aunt and uncle who lost their son to ALS two years ago, who were helped immensely by the ALSA, and still are actively involved in fundraising efforts for it?
By the way something not mentioned here: this year over $5 million has been raised via this FB stunt, in the last few months. Last year, for all of last year donations totaled $300,000.
Sure it’s based on vanity, but sheesh. Nothing can be easy can it? It can’t be a good way to use vanity for good, that’s too easy I guess. There’s always some moralistic “catch”. After all, they “might” use general funds in the future for ESC based research.
Yeah. Ok. Let the chastisement of 47 begin.
I thought there was something creepy about it.
The Current FReepathon Pays For The Current Quarter's Expenses?
I thought it looked dumb at first, and I wouldn't do it myself (the bucket thing, I might give money though). However, you can't argue with results, and money being raised is far and away coming in fast because of this gimmick.
Not too concerned about ESC research either as I think that will most likely fade away as it hasn't fulfilled on the potential that people thought it had.
Had a good friend's Dad get diagnosed a couple of years ago. He was dead within a year.
I don’t really even know what the big deal is either.
I agree with you. Tired of the self righteous on this site that want to kill every idea that does not perfectly line up with their own view.
I think the videos are kind of silly, but I stand strongly behind the purpose and goal. We had a sanctuary full of people last night weeping and crying prayers for a leader in our church who has been given 6 months due to ALS. He leads the recovery group and ministry at our church and is married with two kids in high school. The oldest is a Senior who he won’t get to see graduate unless God steps in with a miracle.
This is more than feel good. I am ambivalent about it on some levels, and not excited when I got challenged, but it has brought a great amount of attention and money to the disease in a short time. I think the positives far outweigh any negatives. A young generation now knows of it, and many who probably heard of it or Lou Gerig’s disease know more than before. It’s much more than a meaningless hashtag campaign.
I’m waiting for her to do the ice bucket challenge. I’ll be tossing and turning tonight, trying to cleanse my mind of that mental image. I fear it is now “seared into my memory.” Liberals love style over substance.They love to take stands that make them look caring (it’s for the poor, the children, the planet, blah, blah, blah...), but require no personal sacrifice. They are godless and self worshipping, so these public displays are merely charades to mask their moral bankruptcy and fool the masses.
I saw a video of Sara Evans doing the bucket challenge. Of course it would have been SOOOOO much better had she been wearing a white t-shirt and no bra.
Yes, I know I’m being bad but it’s my right as long as I’m not hurting anyone else.
Friend of man behind ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ dies
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/17/us/ice-bucket-challenge-death/index.html
My mom died of ALS, she suffered so much. I hope they find a cure.
I know you're quoting the actual title of the article, but it is misleading. The guy who actually started the ice bucket challenge is the guy who died. His friend has ALS and was the inspiration for the challenge. The moral of the story is not to get drunk and dive off of buildings at 2:00.
Sorry for your loss, but I wonder if they are pushing embryonic stem cell as the answer to all these diseases to push an abortion agenda. Are scientists limiting their research to embryonic stem cell because that’s were the research money is going?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.