In covering the news and keeping the community informed, unfortunately we have to report a lot of bad news; but rest assured that every Friday throughout the summertime, when you tune into WCHL, we will have some good news to report to you!  That’s because it is “Good News Friday!”

Presented by The Strowd on Franklin Street, and their Shag Dance Fridays!

The-Strowd-pic-and-logo

Click here to listen to Ron Stutts broadcast this week’s ‘Good News Friday’ featured story.

 

The ice bucket challenge is back in the news….and that’s a good thing!

Two summers ago, whether you participated or not (and likely you did!) you certainly remember the ice bucket challenge.

Started by former ACC baseball player Pete Frates of Boston College, who himself was diagnosed with ALS; commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease; Pete and his friend, Pat Quinn, dumped a bucket of ice water on their heads, and then, through video and social media, challenged 3 friends to do the same.

28 million Facebook mentions later, with an estimated 1.6 million gallons of water used, and over 100 million dollars in donations to ALS charities collected –  the summer of 2014 BECAME the summer of the ice bucket challenge.

This week a report from Project MinE released by the journal of Nature Genetics documented that a major discovery has been made in the work to find a cure for ALS.  A new hereditary gene, linked to ALS, has been identified. Finding this gene and learning how it works, are the first steps towards developing early testing methods, creating gene therapy treatment, and is a leap forward in the work to eventually find a cure.

AND, amazingly, the research by Project MinE that led to this discovery was directly funded by the money raised through the ice bucket challenge.

With the release this weekend of the powerful film “Gleason” documenting the battle of former New Orleans Saints player, Steve Gleason, with his ALS diagnosis; and the continued inspiration provided by our neighbors Vivian Connell from Chapel Hill and Chris Rosati from Durham; we are reminded that ALS remains as one of the most aggressive and degenerative diseases, and the work to raise money and find a cure continues as a MAJOR priority.

But the news this week that money raised can have a direct impact reaffirms our hopes and our commitment to keep on fighting….And THAT’S our good news story of the week!

Click Here to see photos and video of Ron Stutts, Aaron Keck, Roy Williams and more, take the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014!

Ron Ice Bucket