Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Studying vegetables and fruits for the removal of disease-causing cell plaques, a Turkish scientist has managed to remove plaques that lead to ALS disease with celery extract.

Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neuromuscular disease, Özlem Özalkan from northwestern Turkey plans to donate profits she earned from her book to homeless children and spend them for water wells in Africa.

Millions took up the challenge, which involved dousing themselves with a bucket of ice cold water and posting the video online

Following a successful screening at the 18th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in March, Eliana Abravanel's "Finish Line" will be the subject of a special avant premiere in Athens, at the Danaos cinema on May 11, starting at 8 p.m., with proceeds going in aid of MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Hellas.

Last summer, the “Ice Bucket Challenge” became a sensation in social media and raised awareness for ALS. Anonymous and celebrities uploaded their clips where they got showered with a bucket of ice water, thus duplicating the feeling that an ALS patient feels in order to raise awareness.

Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking on Feb. 23 congratulated British actor Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar for playing him in the film "The Theory of Everything".
      
"Well done Eddie, I'm very proud of you," the wheelchair-bound academic, who suffers from motor neurone disease, said in a Facebook post.
     

Craze has Turned into Farce How “Ice Bucket Challenge” Participants Make Times more Difficult for ALS Patients

“All those people pouring water and ice on themselves are only promoting themselves. If they really want to assist, they can help me get out of my apartment.”

Social media networks have been flooded with videos of people undertaking the “ice bucket challenge,” and although the global trend went viral in Turkey this week, local campaigners for motor neuron disease research said the fundraiser had not raised as much money as was hoped.      

Famous Croatian writer Edo Popovic, whose mother passed away of ALS, slammed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, reports Index.hr.

He writes on his Facebook profile that he was saddened that this serious condition was turned into a reality circus. 

As in many other countries, the "ice bucket challenge" has taken hold among celebrities and politicians in the Balkans.