UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., became the latest medical center leader to take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge Wednesday — but the challenge isn’t the only way to support the fight against ALS.
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Responding to a challenge from Bill Dinsmoor, CEO of the clinical enterprise, and others, Dr. Gold withstood two buckets of ice water before issuing a challenge to the campus at large — to support the fight against ALS as part of the UNMC Walk Team for the ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Werner Park.
“I challenge all of the employees, students, staff, physicians, faculty, and others, of the Medical Center, and all of our clinical affiliates, to join us on Saturday for the ALS walk,” he said.
The ice and water didn’t faze the chancellor.
“It was fine — on a beautiful day to be surrounded by such wonderful people, on a great campus,” he said. “It’s an honor. And if I could make even one person with ALS better, I would do it every day.”
The ALS Association’s biggest annual event, the walk raises funds that allow its local chapter to sustain care services and support research. Dr. Gold also is serving as this year’s corporate recruitment chair for the event.
The one-mile walk will take place at Werner Park with check-in at 9 a.m. The walk begins at 10:30 a.m. There is no fee to participate, but participants are encouraged to pre-register online.
All walk routes are wheelchair accessible and Walk Day activities include something for all ages.
Interested participants are invited to register through the ALS Association’s website and join the UNMC Walk team. Raising $25 or more for the ALS Association will qualify participants for a UNMC Walk Team T-shirt. However, contributions of $75 or greater will enable participants to receive both the UNMC Walk T-Shirt and an official Walk to Defeat ALS® T-shirt.
To learn more about the walk, join the UNMC team, or contribute, visit the UNMC team page on the Walk to Defeat ALS website (click “join the team” and enter requested info). If you have any questions, contact or e-mail walk captain Elspeth McKeon.