American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves took part in the “Ice Bucket Challenge,” a campaign to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for the nerve disease ALS.
Graves was challenged by Derek Leathers, CEO of Werner Enterprises Inc.
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” after the Hall of Fame baseball player who suffered from the disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. There is no known cure. Treatments are designed to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Before the cold splash, Graves paid it forward, challenging America’s Road Team, the LEAD ATA Program, and Ed Hamberger, president of the Association of American Railroads.
To a round of applause just before lifting the buckets full of ice water, Graves also noted his support of Robert Baylor, president of Baylor Trucking Inc., who is battling the disease.
The Milan, Ind.-based carrier issued a challenge industry-wide, and started a Facebook page, Keep Trucking 4 ALS, for truckers and their family and friends to post their Ice Bucket Challenge responses in support of ALS.
The ice bucket challenge has been successful attracting attention and money for the cause. Participants video record themselves accepting the challenge “shock the system” and dump a bucket of ice water on their heads and nominating others to participate and donate to ALS research.
As of Aug. 27, the ALS Association said it had received over $94.3 million compared with $2.7 million during the same time period last year.
