Students participated in a campus-wide ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in front of Cornelia Hall Sept. 26. Sponsored by the Tara Knight Society, the event brought students together to support not only finding a cure for ALS but Iona alumnus Pat Quinn.

“This event was in honor of Pat Quinn, an Iona alumnus and one of the inspirations for the Ice Bucket Challenge,” said senior Savannah Lang, president of the Tara Knight Society. “Iona should remain a welcoming home for our alumni and support them beyond graduation.”

The Tara Knight Society is the Iona College’s oldest service organization.

“From big movements such as raising money for a water tower in Africa, to tiny initiatives like leaving positive messages for facilities, Tara Knight Society hopes to be a positive force inspiring people to move the world,” Lang said.

Tara Knight Society works to assist Gaels and improve campus in any way possible. Other Tara Knight Society events that are happening this semester include the Best Buddies Kickball Game on Oct. 5 and Operation Christmas Child on Nov.13.

Quinn was a part of the start of the phenomenon now known as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The challenge originated in Westchester County. It started simply by individuals challenging themselves and others to pour a bucket of ice water over their head to spread awareness about ALS.

At the event, Quinn talked to students about the impact Iona has made on the effort to find a cure.

“The support Iona has showed for him and everyone with ALS is incredible,” Quinn said.

After Quinn talked, students from different clubs and organizations gathered together with buckets filled with ice-cold water in front of them. Then each person dumped a bucket over his or her head one after another.

The popularity of ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has led people to learn more about ALS.

“I had no idea what ALS was until I was challenged to do the ice bucket challenge,” junior Iliana Banda said.

ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and is often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

“It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body,” according to alsa.org.

The ALS Ice Bucket challenge has led to a surge in donations. The ALS Association has received $13.3 million in donations compared to $1.7 million during the same time period last year, reports the ALS Association.

Quinn started “Quinn for the Win” soon after his diagnosis in March 2013. He started “Quinn for the Win” in an effort to fight, raise awareness and work towards finding a cure for ALS.

In an effort to support Quinn, many people and groups from Iona have taken the challenge in honor of him. Some of the groups included the executive boards of the Gaels Activities Board and Gael Pride. Even President Nyre and Killian the Gael took part in this historic movement around the world.

While the initial excitement over the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge may be winding down, it is important to remember that approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. ALS can affect anyone, which is why raising awareness is so important. As a result of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, people are more aware of what a horrible disease ALS really is.

“Move the World” is a phrase used a lot on Iona’s campus. Through his efforts, Quinn is moving the world in a positive direction towards ending an awful disease that affects him and people all over the world.