Ice
By: Connor Lenahan
Sarah Hope is evil.
Earlier this morning I was lying safe and sound in my cuddly bed. I was enjoying a quiet Sunday sleeping in. I saw my phone light up. Immediately a chill ran down my spine. This was because I knew almost immediately that there soon would be a literal chill running down my spine. Sarah had completed the Ice Bucket Challenge currently sweeping the country and dominating my Instagram and Facebook the past few days. Along with my friend Maurice Watson Jr., Sarah had nominated us to drench ourselves with a bucket full of chilled H2O garnished with frozen H2O.
Earlier this afternoon I took to my shower to complete the challenge. I decided that if I were going down I needed to take some of my friends with me. After surveying who amongst my friends had yet to take a frozen shower I selected five names. My friends Montana Rispoli, Dana Magnuson, and Andrea Stinson, all because I knew they’d kill me for it, my soon-to-be roommate Pat McKay because I’d laugh too hard, and my buddy Rondae Hollis-Jefferson because he’s a hilariously great guy.
I can say with 100% seriousness that pouring that rectangle of ice water on my head hurt worse than my last broken leg. I was out of breath like I had just run a marathon. I tore my shirt off and grabbed a blanket quicker than Oprah digs into Thanksgiving dinner.
The videos of my friends taking the challenge have been all over my social media for days. After going unscathed for a few days I finally joined them. That is what makes this such a great way to raise awareness. It’s doing exactly what is intended – raising awareness for ALS – in an innocently fun way. It’s goofy but it’s incredibly successful in communicating a great cause. This is evidenced by the fact that just about everyone I know on BU’s campus at the moment has taken the polar bath.
Have fun with this one. It’s not often that such incredible entertainment comes along freely with a wonderful message attached.
To donate click here: ALS Association.
Connor Lenahan (@ConnorLenahan) is a sophomore at Boston University, majoring in journalism.